1 T his letter is from Paul, a missionary of Jesus Christ. I am sent by God, the One Who saves, and by our Lord Jesus Christ Who is our hope.

Pablo, apóstol de Cristo Jesús por mandato de Dios nuestro Salvador, y de Cristo Jesús nuestra esperanza,

2 I write to you, Timothy. You are my son in the Christian faith. May God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord give you His loving-favor and loving-kindness and peace. Watch for False Teachers

a Timoteo, verdadero hijo en la fe: Gracia, misericordia y paz de parte de Dios Padre y de Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor. Advertencia contra Doctrinas Extrañas

3 W hen I left for the country of Macedonia, I asked you to stay in the city of Ephesus. I wanted you to stay there so you could tell those who are teaching what is not true to stop.

Tal como te rogué al salir para Macedonia que te quedaras en Efeso para que instruyeras a algunos que no enseñaran doctrinas extrañas,

4 T hey should not listen to stories that are not true. It is foolish for them to try to learn more about their early fathers. These only bring more questions to their minds and do not make their faith in God stronger.

ni prestaran atención a mitos y genealogías interminables, lo que da lugar a discusiones inútiles en vez de hacer avanzar el plan (la dispensación) de Dios que es por fe, así te encargo ahora.

5 W e want to see our teaching help you have a true love that comes from a pure heart. Such love comes from a heart that says we are not guilty and from a faith that does not pretend.

Pero el propósito (la meta) de nuestra instrucción (nuestro mandamiento) es el amor nacido de un corazón puro, de una buena conciencia y de una fe sincera.

6 B ut some have turned away from these things. They have turned to foolish talking.

Pues algunos, desviándose de estas cosas, se han apartado hacia una vana palabrería.

7 S ome of them want to be teachers of the Law. But they do not know what they are talking about even if they act as if they do. The Law Is Good

Quieren ser maestros de la Ley, aunque no saben lo que dicen ni entienden las cosas acerca de las cuales hacen declaraciones categóricas.

8 W e know the Law is good when it is used the way God meant it to be used.

Pero nosotros sabemos que la Ley es buena, si uno la usa legítimamente.

9 W e must remember the Law is not for the person who is right with God. It is for those who do not obey anybody or anything. It is for the sinners who hate God and speak against Him. It is for those who kill their fathers and mothers and for those who kill other people.

Reconozcamos esto: que la ley no ha sido instituida para el justo, sino para los transgresores y rebeldes, para los impíos y pecadores, para los irreverentes y profanos, para los que matan a sus padres o a sus madres, para los asesinos,

10 I t is for those who do sex sins and for people who do sex sins with their own sex. It is for people who steal other people and for those who lie and for those who promise not to lie, but do. It is for everything that is against right teaching.

para los inmorales, homosexuales, secuestradores, mentirosos, los que juran en falso, y para cualquier otra cosa que es contraria a la sana doctrina,

11 T he great Good News of our honored God is right teaching. God has trusted me to preach this Good News. Paul Gives Thanks to God

según el glorioso evangelio del Dios bendito, que me ha sido encomendado. Gratitud de Pablo por la Gracia de Dios

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord for the power and strength He has given me. He trusted me and gave me His work to do.

Doy gracias a Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor, que me ha fortalecido, porque me tuvo por fiel, poniéndome en el ministerio,

13 B efore He chose me, I talked bad about Christ. I made His followers suffer. I hurt them every way I could. But God had loving-kindness for me. I did not understand what I was doing for I was not a Christian then.

aun habiendo sido yo antes blasfemo, perseguidor y agresor. Sin embargo, se me mostró misericordia porque lo hice por ignorancia en mi incredulidad.

14 T hen our Lord gave me much of His loving-favor and faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

Pero la gracia de nuestro Señor fue más que abundante, con la fe y el amor que se hallan en Cristo Jesús.

15 W hat I say is true and all the world should receive it. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners from their sin and I am the worst sinner.

Palabra fiel y digna de ser aceptada por todos: Cristo Jesús vino al mundo para salvar a los pecadores, entre los cuales yo soy el primero.

16 A nd yet God had loving-kindness for me. Jesus Christ used me to show how long He will wait for even the worst sinners. In that way, others will know they can have life that lasts forever also.

Sin embargo, por esto hallé misericordia, para que en mí, como el primero, Jesucristo demostrara toda Su paciencia como un ejemplo para los que habrían de creer en El para vida eterna.

17 W e give honor and thanks to the King Who lives forever. He is the One Who never dies and Who is never seen. He is the One Who knows all things. He is the only God. Let it be so. The Good Fight of Faith

Por tanto, al Rey eterno (de los siglos), inmortal, invisible, único Dios, a El sea honor y gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Amén. Instrucciones a Timoteo

18 T imothy, my son, here is my word to you. Fight well for the Lord! God’s preachers told us you would.

Esta comisión te confío, hijo Timoteo, conforme a las profecías que antes se hicieron en cuanto a ti, a fin de que por ellas pelees la buena batalla,

19 K eep a strong hold on your faith in Christ. May your heart always say you are right. Some people have not listened to what their hearts say. They have done what they knew was wrong. Because of this, their faith in Christ was wrecked.

guardando la fe y una buena conciencia, que algunos han rechazado y naufragaron en lo que toca a la fe.

20 T his happened to Hymenaeus and Alexander. I gave them over to Satan to teach them not to speak against God.

Entre ellos están Himeneo y Alejandro, a quienes he entregado a Satanás, para que aprendan a no blasfemar.