The Rest For God's People (Hebrews 3:7-19) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
7   That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice,
8   don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.
9   There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
10  So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me.  They refuse to do what I tell them.’
11  So in my anger I took an oath:  ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”  
12  Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.  Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.
13  You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
14  For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
15  Remember what it says:  “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
16  And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt?
17  And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness?
18  And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him?
19  So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
7    So then, as the Holy Spirit says, “If you hear God's voice today,
8    do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God, as they were that day in the desert when they put him to the test.
9    There they put me to the test and tried me, says God, although they had seen what I did for forty years.
10  And so I was angry with those people and said, ‘They are always disloyal and refuse to obey my commands.’
11  I was angry and made a solemn promise:  They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!’”
12  My friends, be careful that none of you have a heart so evil and unbelieving that you will turn away from the living God. 
13  Instead, in order that none of you be deceived by sin and become stubborn, you must help one another every day, as long as the word “Today” in the scripture applies to us. 
14  For we are all partners with Christ if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at the beginning.
15  This is what the scripture says:  “If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God.”
16  Who were the people who heard God's voice and rebelled against him? All those who were led out of Egypt by Moses. 
17  With whom was God angry for forty years? With the people who sinned, who fell down dead in the desert. 
18  When God made his solemn promise, “They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest”—of whom was he speaking? Of those who rebelled. 
19  We see, then, that they were not able to enter the land, because they did not believe.

Jesus Is Greater Than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. 

2  For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.

3  But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. 

4  For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

5  Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 

6  But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  My Christian friends, who also have been called by God! Think of Jesus, whom God sent to be the High Priest of the faith we profess. 

2  He was faithful to God, who chose him to do this work, just as Moses was faithful in his work in God's house. 

3  A man who builds a house receives more honor than the house itself. In the same way Jesus is worthy of much greater honor than Moses. 

4  Every house, of course, is built by someone—and God is the one who has built all things. 

5  Moses was faithful in God's house as a servant, and he spoke of the things that God would say in the future. 

6  But Christ is faithful as the Son in charge of God's house. We are his house if we keep up our courage and our confidence in what we hope for.

Jesus The Man (Hebrews 2:5-18) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

5    And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 

6    For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him?

7    Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

8    You gave them authority over all things.”  Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 

9    What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 

10  God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11  So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 

12  For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.  I will praise you among your assembled people.”

13  He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

14  Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 

15  Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16  We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.

17  Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 

18  Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

5    God has not placed the angels as rulers over the new world to come—the world of which we speak.
6    Instead, as it is said somewhere in the Scriptures:  “What are human beings, O God, that you should think of them; mere human beings, that you should care for them?
7    You made them for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor,
8    and made them rulers over all things.”  It says that God made them “rulers over all things”; this clearly includes everything. We do not, however, see human beings ruling over all things now. 
9    But we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, so that through God's grace he should die for everyone. We see him now crowned with glory and honor because of the death he suffered. 
10  It was only right that God, who creates and preserves all things, should make Jesus perfect through suffering, in order to bring many children to share his glory. For Jesus is the one who leads them to salvation.
11  He purifies people from their sins, and both he and those who are made pure all have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his family. 
12  He says to God, “I will tell my people what you have done; I will praise you in their meeting.”
13  He also says, “I will put my trust in God.” And he also says, “Here I am with the children that God has given me.”
14  Since the children, as he calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, 
15  and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death. 
16  For it is clear that it is not the angels that he helps. Instead, he helps the descendants of Abraham. 
17  This means that he had to become like his people in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, so that the people's sins would be forgiven. 
18  And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.

A Warning Against Drifting Away (Hebrews 2:1-4) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
1  So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
2  For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.
3  So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?
4  And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
1  That is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away. 
2  The message given to our ancestors by the angels was shown to be true, and those who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment they deserved. 
3  How, then, shall we escape if we pay no attention to such a great salvation? The Lord himself first announced this salvation, and those who heard him proved to us that it is true. 
4  At the same time God added his witness to theirs by performing all kinds of miracles and wonders and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will.

The Son Is Greater Than The Angels (Hebrews 1:4-14) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
4    This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. 
5    For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:  “You are my Son.  Today I have become your Father.”  God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”
6    And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
7    Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”
8    But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.  You rule with a scepter of justice.
9    You love justice and hate evil.  Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
10  He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.
11  They will perish, but you remain forever.  They will wear out like old clothing.
12  You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing.  But you are always the same; you will live forever.”

13  And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

14  Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

4   The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs.
5    For God never said to any of his angels, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”  Nor did God say about any angel, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”
6    But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world, he said, “All of God's angels must worship him.”
7    But about the angels God said, “God makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.”
8    About the Son, however, God said:  “Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever!  You rule over your people with justice.
9    You love what is right and hate what is wrong.  That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions.”
10  He also said, “You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth, and with your own hands you made the heavens.
11  They will disappear, but you will remain; they will all wear out like clothes.
12  You will fold them up like a coat, and they will be changed like clothes.  But you are always the same, and your life never ends.”
13  God never said to any of his angels:  “Sit here at my right side until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet.”
14  What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.

Jesus Christ Is God’s Son (Hebrews 1:1-3) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 

2  And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 

3  The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, 

2  but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end. 

3  He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power.

Christian Conduct (Titus 3:1-11) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
1    Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
2    They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
3    Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
4    But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,
5    he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6    He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7    Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”
8    This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
9    Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
10  If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
11  For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them, and to be ready to do good in every way. 

2    Tell them not to speak evil of anyone, but to be peaceful and friendly, and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone. 

3    For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them. 

4    But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, 

5    he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us. 

6    God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 

7    so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for. 

8    This is a true saying.  I want you to give special emphasis to these matters, so that those who believe in God may be concerned with giving their time to doing good deeds, which are good and useful for everyone.

9    But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless. 

10  Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them.

11  You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.

Promote Right Teaching (Titus 2) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 

2    Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

3    Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 

4    These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 

5    to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

6    In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 

7    And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 

8    Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

9    Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 

10  or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

11  For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 

12  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 

13  while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 

14  He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

15  You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine. 

2    Instruct the older men to be sober, sensible, and self-controlled; to be sound in their faith, love, and endurance. 

3    In the same way instruct the older women to behave as women should who live a holy life. They must not be slanderers or slaves to wine. They must teach what is good, 

4    in order to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 

5    to be self-controlled and pure, and to be good housewives who submit themselves to their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message that comes from God.

6    In the same way urge the young men to be self-controlled. 

7    In all things you yourself must be an example of good behavior. Be sincere and serious in your teaching.

8    Use sound words that cannot be criticized, so that your enemies may be put to shame by not having anything bad to say about us.

9    Slaves are to submit themselves to their masters and please them in all things. They must not talk back to them 

10  or steal from them. Instead, they must show that they are always good and faithful, so as to bring credit to the teaching about God our Savior in all they do.

11  For God has revealed his grace for the salvation of all people. 

12  That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world, 

13  as we wait for the blessed Day we hope for, when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear. 

14  He gave himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us a pure people who belong to him alone and are eager to do good.

15  Teach these things and use your full authority as you encourage and rebuke your hearers. Let none of them look down on you.

God's Promise (Titus 1:1-4) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

 1  This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 

2  This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. 

3  And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.

4  I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.  I was chosen and sent to help the faith of God's chosen people and to lead them to the truth taught by our religion, 

2  which is based on the hope for eternal life. God, who does not lie, promised us this life before the beginning of time, 

3  and at the right time he revealed it in his message. This was entrusted to me, and I proclaim it by order of God our Savior.

4  I write to Titus, my true son in the faith that we have in common.  May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.

Perform Your Duty As A Servant Of God (II Timothy 4:1-8) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 

2  Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3  For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 

4  They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

5  But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

6  As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 

7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 

8  And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you 

2  to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. 

3  The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. 

4  They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. 

5  But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.

6  As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. 

7  I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith.

8  And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day—and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear.

All Scripture Is Inspired By God (II Timothy 3:10-17) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

10  But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 

11  You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 

12  Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

13  But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

14  But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 

15  You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 

16  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
10  But you have followed my teaching, my conduct, and my purpose in life; you have observed my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, 
11  my persecutions, and my sufferings. You know all that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the terrible persecutions I endured! But the Lord rescued me from them all. 
12  Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted; 
13  and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. 
14  But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, 
15  and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 
16  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, 
17  so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.

The Last Days (II Timothy 3:1-9) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 

2   For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 

3  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 

4  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

5  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

6  They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 

7  (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)

8  These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 

9  But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. 

2  People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; 

3  they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; 

4  they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; 

5  they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.

6  Some of them go into people's houses and gain control over weak women who are burdened by the guilt of their sins and driven by all kinds of desires, 

7  women who are always trying to learn but who can never come to know the truth. 

8  As Jannes and Jambres were opposed to Moses, so also these people are opposed to the truth—people whose minds do not function and who are failures in the faith. 

9  But they will not get very far, because everyone will see how stupid they are. That is just what happened to Jannes and Jambres.

An Approved Worker (II Timothy 2:14-26) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
14  Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 
15  Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
16  Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
17  This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.
18  They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19  But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
20  In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
21  If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
22  Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
23  Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
24  A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
25  Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
26  Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
14  Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God's presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. 
15  Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. 
16  Keep away from profane and foolish discussions, which only drive people farther away from God.
17  Such teaching is like an open sore that eats away the flesh. Two men who have taught such things are Hymenaeus and Philetus. 
18  They have left the way of truth and are upsetting the faith of some believers by saying that our resurrection has already taken place. 
19  But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: “The Lord knows those who are his” and “Those who say that they belong to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing.”
20  In a large house there are dishes and bowls of all kinds: some are made of silver and gold, others of wood and clay; some are for special occasions, others for ordinary use. 
21  Those who make themselves clean from all those evil things, will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed. 
22  Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help. 
23  But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. 
24  As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher,
25  who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. 
26  And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

A Loyal Soldier of Christ Jesus (II Timothy 2:1-13) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 

2    You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

3    Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 

4    Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 

5    And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 

6    And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 

7    Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

8    Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.

9    And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 

10  So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

11  This is a trustworthy saying:  If we die with him, we will also live with him.

12  If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.  If we deny him, he will deny us.

13  If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus. 

2    Take the teachings that you heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people, who will be able to teach others also.

3    Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus. 

4    A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. 

5    An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules. 

6    The farmer who has done the hard work should have the first share of the harvest. 

7    Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will enable you to understand it all.

8    Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught in the Good News I preach. 

9    Because I preach the Good News, I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains, 

10  and so I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen people, in order that they too may obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory. 

11  This is a true saying:  “If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.

12  If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with him.  If we deny him, he also will deny us.

13  If we are not faithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot be false to himself.”

Encouragement To Be Faithful (II Timothy 1:3-14) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

3    Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 

4    I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

5    I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 

6    This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

7    For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

8    So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 

9    For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 

10  And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 

11  And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.

12  That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

13  Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 

14  Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
3    I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did. I thank him as I remember you always in my prayers night and day. 
4    I remember your tears, and I want to see you very much, so that I may be filled with joy. 
5    I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also. 
6    For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 
7    For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.
8    Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it.
9    He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 
10  but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has ended the power of death and through the gospel has revealed immortal life.
11  God has appointed me as an apostle and teacher to proclaim the Good News, 
12  and it is for this reason that I suffer these things. But I am still full of confidence, because I know whom I have trusted, and I am sure that he is able to keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me.
13  Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus. 
14  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you.

Run Your Best In The Race Of Faith (I Timothy 6:11-21) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

11  But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 

12  Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 

13  And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 

14  that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 

15  For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 

16  He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

17  Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 

18  Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 

19  By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

20  Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 

21  Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.  

May God’s grace be with you all.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
11  But you, man of God, avoid all these things. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 
12  Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses. 
13  Before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who firmly professed his faith before Pontius Pilate, I command you 
14  to obey your orders and keep them faithfully until the Day when our Lord Jesus Christ will appear. 
15  His appearing will be brought about at the right time by God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 
16  He alone is immortal; he lives in the light that no one can approach. No one has ever seen him; no one can ever see him. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.
17  Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. 
18  Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others.
19  In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life.
20  Timothy, keep safe what has been entrusted to your care. Avoid the profane talk and foolish arguments of what some people wrongly call “Knowledge.” 
21  For some have claimed to possess it, and as a result they have lost the way of faith.
God's grace be with you all.

False Teaching And True Riches (I Timothy 6:3-10) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

3    Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 

4    Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 

5   These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

6    Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 

7    After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 

8    So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

9    But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 

10  For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

3    Whoever teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching of our religion 
4    is swollen with pride and knows nothing. He has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words, and this brings on jealousy, disputes, insults, evil suspicions, 
5    and constant arguments from people whose minds do not function and who no longer have the truth. They think that religion is a way to become rich.
6    Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. 
7    What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing!
8    So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. 
9    But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. 
10  For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.

Responsibilities Toward Believers (I Timothy 5:1-25) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. 

2    Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

3    Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. 

4    But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.

5    Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. 

6    But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. 

7    Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism.

8    But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

9    A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband.

10  She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

11  The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. 

12  Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. 

13  And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t. 

14  So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them. 

15  For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan.

16  If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone.

17  Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 

18  For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

19  Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. 

20  Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

21  I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.

22  Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23  Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

24  Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. 

25  In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat the younger men as your brothers, 

2    the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, with all purity.

3    Show respect for widows who really are all alone. 

4    But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties toward their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God. 

5    A widow who is all alone, with no one to take care of her, has placed her hope in God and continues to pray and ask him for his help night and day. 

6    But a widow who gives herself to pleasure has already died, even though she lives. 

7    Give them these instructions, so that no one will find fault with them. 

8    But if any do not take care of their relatives, especially the members of their own family, they have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.

9    Do not add any widow to the list of widows unless she is over sixty years of age. In addition, she must have been married only once 

10  and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.

11  But do not include younger widows in the list; because when their desires make them want to marry, they turn away from Christ,

12  and so become guilty of breaking their earlier promise to him. 

13  They also learn to waste their time in going around from house to house; but even worse, they learn to be gossips and busybodies, talking of things they should not. 

14  So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us. 

15  For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan. 

16  But if any Christian woman has widows in her family, she must take care of them and not put the burden on the church, so that it may take care of the widows who are all alone.

17  The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 

18  For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain” and “Workers should be given their pay.” 

19  Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or more witnesses. 

20  Rebuke publicly all those who commit sins, so that the rest may be afraid.

21  In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the holy angels I solemnly call upon you to obey these instructions without showing any prejudice or favor to anyone in anything you do. 

22  Be in no hurry to lay hands on people to dedicate them to the Lord's service. Take no part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

23  Do not drink water only, but take a little wine to help your digestion, since you are sick so often.

24  The sins of some people are plain to see, and their sins go ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others are seen only later. 

25  In the same way good deeds are plainly seen, and even those that are not so plain cannot be hidden.

A Good Servant Of Christ Jesus (I Timothy 4:6-16) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

6    If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 

7    Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

8    “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 

9    This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 

10  This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

11  Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 

12  Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 

13  Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

14  Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 

15  Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 

16  Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
6    If you give these instructions to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, as you feed yourself spiritually on the words of faith and of the true teaching which you have followed. 
7    But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. 
8    Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future. 
9    This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed. 
10  We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all and especially of those who believe.
11  Give them these instructions and these teachings. 
12  Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. 
13  Until I come, give your time and effort to the public reading of the Scriptures and to preaching and teaching. 
14  Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the elders laid their hands on you. 
15  Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all.
16  Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Keep on doing these things, because if you do, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Warnings Against False Teachers (I Timothy 4:1-5) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

 1  Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 

2  These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

3  They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 

4  Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 

5  For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
1  The Spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons. 
2  Such teachings are spread by deceitful liars, whose consciences are dead, as if burnt with a hot iron.
3  Such people teach that it is wrong to marry and to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten, after a prayer of thanks, by those who are believers and have come to know the truth. 
4  Everything that God has created is good; nothing is to be rejected, but everything is to be received with a prayer of thanks, 
5  because the word of God and the prayer make it acceptable to God.