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

You must teach what is right and true.

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

Older men are to be quiet and to be careful how they act. They are to be the boss over their own desires. Their faith and love are to stay strong and they are not to give up.

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

Teach older women to be quiet and to be careful how they act also. They are not to go around speaking bad things about others or things that are not true. They are not to be chained by strong drink. They should teach what is good.

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

Older women are to teach the young women to love their husbands and 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:

They are to teach them to think before they act, to be pure, to be workers at home, to be kind, and to obey their own husbands. In this way, the Word of God is honored.

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

Also teach young men to be wise.

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

In all things show them how to live by your life and by right teaching.

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.

You should be wise in what you say. Then the one who is against you will be ashamed and will not be able to say anything bad about you.

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

Those who are servants owned by someone must obey their owners and please them in everything. They must not argue.

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

They must not steal from their owners but prove they can be trusted in every way. In this way, their lives will honor the teaching of God Who saves us.

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

God’s free gift of being saved is being given to everyone.

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;

We are taught to have nothing to do with that which is against God. We are to have nothing to do with the desires of this world. We are to be wise and to be right with God. We are to live God-like lives in this world.

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

We are to be looking for the great hope and the coming of our great God and the One Who saves, Christ Jesus.

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.

He gave Himself for us. He did this by buying us with His blood and making us free from all sin. He gave Himself so His people could be clean and want to do good.

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

Teach all these things and give words of help. Show them if they are wrong. You have the right and the power to do this. Do not let anyone think little of you.