1Now you, speak the things that suit sound doctrine:

2older men are to be sober, dignified, prudent, sound in the faith, in love and in endurance;

3similarly older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good

4—so that they may instruct the young women ¹⁶to love their husbands, to love their children,

5to be prudent, pure, good homemakers, subordinating themselves to their own husbands, so that the Word of God not be maligned.

6Similarly, exhort the young men to be self-controlled, ¹⁷

7in all things presenting yourself as an example of good works: ¹⁸showing integrity, dignity and incorruptibility ¹⁹in your teaching

8—healthy speech, beyond reproach—so that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing slighting to say about us. ²⁰

9Exhort slaves to subordinate themselves to their own owners, to be well pleasing in all things, not talking back,

10not pilfering ²¹but showing total trustworthiness, so as to adorn the doctrine of our Savior God in everything. ²²

Saving grace

11For the saving grace of God has appeared for all men,

12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live prudently, righteously and godly in this present age, ²³

13looking for the blessed hope, ²⁴even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

14who gave Himself for us, so that He might redeem us from all lawlessness ²⁵and purify for Himself a special people, zealous for good works. ²⁶

15Speak these things, whether you exhort or reprove, with all authority. Let no one disdain you. ²⁷