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

You must teach what is right and true.

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

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

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

Also teach young men to be wise.

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

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

8 s ound speech, that cannot be condemned; that the adversary may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

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

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

10 n ot defrauding, 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 ¶ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

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

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