1 ¶ But speak thou the things which are expedient unto sound doctrine,

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

2 t hat the aged men be temperate, venerable, prudent, sound in faith, in charity, in tolerance.

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 he aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of honesty;

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 teach the young women to be prudent, 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 temperate, chaste, good housekeepers, subject to their own husbands, that the word of God not be 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 Y oung men likewise exhort to be temperate;

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

7 i n all things showing thyself as an example of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, seriousness, purity,

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 the adversary may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

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 slaves to be subject to their own masters and to please them well in all things; not contradicting;

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 defrauding, 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 ¶ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared 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 t eaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live temperately, 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 w aiting for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and 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 of his own, 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 ¶ These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one 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.