1. But you must speak what is consistent with sound teaching.
2. Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.
3. In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. [They are] to teach what is good,
4. so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and children,
5. to be sensible, pure, good homemakers, and submissive to their husbands, so that God's message will not be slandered.
6. Likewise, encourage the young men to be sensible
7. about everything. Set an example of good works yourself, with integrity and dignity in your teaching.
8. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
9. Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back
10. or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
11. For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people,
12. instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,
13. while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
14. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works.
15. Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.