Paul’s Greeting to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:1–2)
1 UST { I,} Paul,{ write this letter to you.} God is the one who rescues us, and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, is the one whom we confidently expect. The two of them ordered me to represent Jesus the Messiah. BSB BSB: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 UST { I send this letter} to you, Timothy. You have become like my own son because we both trust in{ Jesus}.{ May} God the Father and Jesus the Messiah, our Lord,{ continue to be} kind and merciful to you and{ make you} peaceful. BSB BSB: To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Correcting False Teachers (Titus 1:10–16)
3 UST As I asked you when I was traveling to the province of Macedonia,{ I ask you again} to stay in the city of Ephesus. That way, you can prohibit certain people there from teaching things that are different{ from what is true}. BSB BSB: As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines
4 UST { I want you to tell them} to stop focusing on legends and very long lists of ancestors. Those things cause people to argue with each other. They do not help to accomplish God’ s plan. That happens when we trust in{ Jesus}. BSB BSB: or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
5 UST I want you to require those things so that people will love{ each other}.{ They will do that} while they desire only what is good, while they know that they are doing what is right, and while they genuinely trust in{ Jesus}. BSB BSB: The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
6 UST However, some people have failed to do those things. Instead, they speak about things that do not matter. BSB BSB: Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.
7 UST Those people desire to be people who teach the{ Jewish} law. However, they do not understand what they talk about or what they confidently affirm. BSB BSB: They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.
8 UST We{ believers} understand that the{ Jewish} law is excellent as long as people use it properly. BSB BSB: Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.
9 UST Indeed, we{ believers} realize that God did not establish the{ Jewish} law for people who do what is right. Rather,{ he established the Jewish law} for people who do what is wrong and do not obey anyone. They do not honor God, and they sin. They do things that defile themselves, and they do not set themselves apart for God. They murder their parents. They murder other people. BSB BSB: We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,
11 UST { When people teach what is right,} it fits with the good news, which shows how great is the God whom we praise. That is the good news that God has told me{ to proclaim to people}. BSB BSB: that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
God’s Grace to Paul 12 UST I thank Jesus the Messiah, our Lord, who has enabled me{ to proclaim the good news}.{ I thank him} because he decided that he could trust me, so he appointed me to serve{ him}. BSB BSB: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
13 UST { Jesus did that} even though I used to insult him, harm his people, and act violently. However, I did not understand what I was doing when I did not trust in{ Jesus}. So, Jesus acted mercifully to me. BSB BSB: I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
14 UST Our Lord{ Jesus} acted extremely kindly to me. By uniting me to himself, Jesus the Messiah, he enabled me to believe in him and to love people. BSB BSB: And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 UST Everyone should trust and rely on this statement:“Jesus the Messiah was here on earth to rescue sinful people.”{ As for me,} I am more sinful than everyone else. BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
16 UST However, that is why Jesus acted mercifully to me. That way, Jesus the Messiah could show how very patient he is by how he treated me, the most sinful person. He wanted to illustrate{ his character} for people who are going to trust in him so that they live with God forever. BSB BSB: But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
17 UST God is always ruling. He will never die, and no one can see him. There are no other gods. So, let us praise and glorify him forever! May it be so! BSB BSB: Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 UST Timothy, you are like my son. I have told you to do certain things because they fit with what people previously prophesied about you.{ I have told you to do those things} so that, as those people prophesied, you will serve God well, as a soldier obeys a commanding officer. BSB BSB: Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
19 UST { You can do that} by trusting in{ Jesus} and by knowing that you are doing what is right. Some people have stopped doing that, and now they no longer trust in{ Jesus}. BSB BSB: holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.
20 UST Among those who have done that are Hymenaeus and Alexander. I have expelled them so that Satan rules over them. That way, they will learn not to insult God. BSB BSB: Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.