Paul's first letter to Timothy

Paul, a shalach of Yeshuwah haMashiyach by the Word of 'Elohiym, our Savior, and of Yeshuwah haMashiyach, our hope, 

To Timothy, a true child in 'emuwnah:

Chen, racham and shalom from 'Elohiym, the Father, and Yeshuwah haMashiyach, our Lord.

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you could charge certain men not to teach false doctrine nor devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote doubts rather than living in 'Elohiym – which is by 'emuwnah. The goal of this charge is checed, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and an unfeigned 'emuwnah. Some have deviated from truth and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be rabbis of the Torah, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

We know that the Torah is good if one acts legitimately towards it, understanding that the Torah is not appointed for the tsaddiyqiym but for rasha`iym and apostates – the irreverant and chata'iym, those who are not qadoshiym, but worldly – for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for sexual deviants and homosexuals, for slavers and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the Gospel of the Kabowd of the blessed 'Elohiym, which He entrusted to me.

I thank the One who has empowered me, Yeshuwah haMashiyach, our Lord, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. Even though I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and maltreater. But, I was shown mercy because, being ignorant, I acted in unbelief – the grace of our Lord being poured out abundantly, along with 'emuwnah and checed through Yeshuwah haMashiyach.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Yeshuwah haMashiyach came into the world to save chata'iym – among whom I was the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that, in me, Yeshuwah haMashiyach could display His unlimited patience first, as an example for those who were about to trust in Him for Chay l`Owlam. Now to the `Attiyq Yowmaya', immortal, invisible, the only 'Elohiym, belongs honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Timothy, son, this is the charge I give you, in keeping with the prophecies once made about you that by them you could wage the good fight, having 'emuwnah and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have shipwrecked their 'emuwnah. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to haSatan, that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Therefore, I urge first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority – that we may live tranquil and quiet lives in all piety and reverence. For, this is good and pleasing to 'Elohiym, our Savior, who wills that all men be saved and be coming into da`ath of ha'Emeth. For there is one 'Elohiym and one Mediator between 'Elohiym and men – the Man, Yeshuwah haMashiyach – who gave Himself as a ransom for all – the `Eduwth given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and a shalach – I am telling the truth, I do not lie – and a teacher of gentiles in 'emuwnah and ha'Emeth.

I want men everywhere to pray, to lift up hands to Qadowsh, without anger and doubting.

Likewise, I want women to dress decently, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good actions, which is appropriate for women who profess piety.

A woman should learn in quietness and full subordination. I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be silent. For 'Adam was formed first, then Chavvah. And 'Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and fell into chatta'ah. But she will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in 'emuwnah, checed and piety, with self-control.

This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being a shepherd, he desires a good task. Now the shepherd must be above reproach, the husband of a woman, circumspect, self-controlled, modest, hospitable, able at teaching, not given to drunkenness, not violent but patient, not quarrelsome, not greedy, manage his own family well (having children who obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of a congregation of 'Elohiym?), must not be a recent convert (or he may become conceited and fall into a trap of the devil), not a novice (or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil). And it is necessary that he be well thought of by society (that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap).

Servants, likewise, are to be men of reverence, not double-minded, not indulging in much wine, and not greedy. They must have the revelation of 'emuwnah with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve.

In the same way, their women are to be women of reverence, not gossips, but circumspect and trustworthy in everything.

A servant should be the husband of a woman, managing his children and household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and much boldness among the ne'emaniym, those in Yeshuwah haMashiyach.

I am writing you these instructions to you, hoping to come to you soon. But, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in Bayith ha'Elohiym, which is the Qahal of 'El Chay, the pillar and foundation of ha'Emeth. Admittedly, great is the mystery of the divinity of 'Elohiym:

He appeared in a body,

was set apart through haRuach,

was seen by mal'akiym,

was proclaimed among gentiles,

was recognized as trustworthy in the world,

was taken up in honor.

But, haRuach clearly says that in later times some will abandon 'emuwnah, following the ruach sheqer and doctrines of shediym through the hypocrisy of false teachers, whose own consciences have been cauterized. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which 'Elohiym created to be received with thanksgiving by believers, those knowing the truth. For everything 'Elohiym created is good, and nothing is to be rejected, having been received with thanksgiving, because it is set apart through the Word of 'Elohiym and prayerful counsel.

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Yeshuwah haMashiyach, brought up in the truths of 'emuwnah and the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with rasha`iym and old women's myths; rather, train yourself to be pious. For physical training is of some value, but piety has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our expectations in 'El Chay, who is the Savior of all men, especially of present believers.

Proclaim and teach these things. Don't let anyone despise the newly converted, but become an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in checed, in 'emuwnah and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to reading, preaching and teaching. Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given you through prophecy when the zaqeniym laid their hands on you.

Be diligent in these matters, giving yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Pay attention to yourself and the doctrines. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will protect both yourself and your hearers.

Do not chastise a zaqen, but turn to him as a father, treat new converts as brothers, female zaqeniym as mothers, and newly converted women as sisters, in absolute purity.

Give proper recognition to those women who have lost their husband who are really widows. But any woman who has lost her husband has children or grandchildren, these should learn first to be pious toward their own and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is good, and pleasing in the eyes of 'Elohiym. The widow who is really a widow, left all alone, puts her expectations in 'Elohiym and continues night and day to pray and to ask 'Elohiym for help. But the widow who lives for self-pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, so no one will be open to blame. But, if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied 'emuwnah and is worse than an unbeliever.

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to one man, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the qadoshiym, helping those in persecution and devoting herself to every good act.

As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to the Messiah, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I would have younger women marry, have children, manage their homes and give haSatan no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow haSatan.

If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the congregation be burdened with them, so that the congregation can help those who are true widows.

The outstanding zaqeniym are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." Do not entertain an accusation against a zaqen unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Ant who commits chata' is to be admonished publicly, so that the rest will also become reverent.

I charge you, in the sight of 'Elohiym and the Lord, Yeshuwah haMashiyach, and the favored mal'akiym, to keep these instructions without prejudice, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the chatta'ah of others. Keep yourself taher.

Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Some men's chatta'ah is plain beforehand, going ahead to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are plain beforehand; and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

All who are under a yoke, slaves, should consider their masters worthy of full respect, that the Name of 'Elohiym and our teaching will not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because they are believers and they in return benefit from the good service. Teach these things and comfort them.

If anyone teaches falsely and does not conform to sound doctrine, that of our Lord, Yeshuwah haMashiyach, and to pious teaching, he is prideful and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in doubts and arguments that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, wearying disputes that corrupt the minds of men, and, deprived of the truth, thinking that piety is related to financial gain.

But piety with contentment is the greatest gain, for we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. But, those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, by which some people, eager for it, are lead astray from 'emuwnah and are themselves pierced by many griefs.

But you, servant of 'Elohiym, flee from all this, and pursue tsdaqah, piety, 'emuwnah, checed, and patience. Fight the good fight of 'emuwnah. Take hold of Chay l`Owlam, to which you were called when you made your good confession in front of many witnesses. In the sight of 'Elohiym, the One who makes everything live, and Yeshuwah haMashiyach, the One who made the good confession while testifying before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep this command as tamiym, tahowriym, until the appearing of our Lord, Yeshuwah haMashiyach, who, in His own time, will reveal the blessed and only Ruler, Melek mlakiym and 'Adonai 'adoniym, the only One having immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Declare to those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is uncertain, but to put it in 'Elohiym, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment, to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share, laying up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the expectation, so that they may indeed take hold of Chay.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from the worldly, fruitless discussion, and the opposing theories of what is falsely called “gnosis,” which some profess, and in so doing have deviated from the truth of 'emuwnah.

Grace is  with you.