1 B ut speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:

But you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine.

2 t hat aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:

Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience.

3 t hat aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble,

4 t hat they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children,

5 t o be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:

To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited).

6 t he younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded:

In a similar way, urge the younger men to be self-restrained and to behave prudently.

7 i n all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity,

And show your own self in all respects to be a pattern and a model of good deeds and works, teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity, with dignity and seriousness.

8 s ound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.

And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us.

9 E xhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying;

bond servants to be submissive to their masters, to be pleasing and give satisfaction in every way. not to talk back or contradict,

10 n ot purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Nor to steal by taking things of small value, but to prove themselves truly loyal and entirely reliable and faithful throughout, so that in everything they may be an ornament and do credit to the teaching from and about God our Savior.

11 F or the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.

12 i nstructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;

It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world,

13 l ooking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Awaiting and looking for the blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

14 w ho gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people eager and enthusiastic about beneficial deeds.

15 T hese things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Tell these things. Urge (advise, encourage, warn) and rebuke with full authority. Let no one despise or disregard or think little of you.