The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine.
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But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance.
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That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness.
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The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children,
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That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior.
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To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.
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Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching,
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In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.
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Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9 Guide slaves into being loyal workers, a bonus to their masters - no back talk,
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Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10 no petty thievery. Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God.
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Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11 God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone!
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For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now,
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Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
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Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
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Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You're in charge. Don't let anyone put you down.
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These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The King James Version is in the public domain.