1 B ut say the things which fit sound doctrine,

You must teach what is right and true.

2 t hat older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and 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 a nd that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, 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 God’s word may 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 L ikewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded;

Also teach young men to be wise.

7 i n all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,

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

8 a nd soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about 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 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 stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, 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 has 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 would live soberly, 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 our great God and Savior, 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 for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for 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 S ay these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.

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.