Watch, then, and remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught every one of you for three years.

I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, 'There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.' "

But in this letter I have been quite bold about certain subjects of which I have reminded you. I have been bold because of the privilege God has given me

For this purpose I am sending to you Timothy, who is my own dear and faithful son in the Christian life. He will remind you of the principles which I follow in the new life in union with Christ Jesus and which I teach in all the churches everywhere.

For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

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.

And so I will always remind you of these matters, even though you already know them and are firmly grounded in the truth you have received.

I know that I shall soon put off this mortal body, as our Lord Jesus Christ plainly told me.

My dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written you. In both letters I have tried to arouse pure thoughts in your minds by reminding you of these things.

I want you to remember the words that were spoken long ago by the holy prophets, and the command from the Lord and Savior which was given you by your apostles.

For even though you know all this, I want to remind you of how the Lord once rescued the people of Israel from Egypt, but afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

So he replied, "This means, then, that every teacher of the Law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who takes new and old things out of his storage room."

You should think of us as Christ's servants, who have been put in charge of God's secret truths.

The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master.

it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties.

Tychicus, our dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me, so that you may know how I am getting along.

Our dear friend Tychicus, who is a faithful worker and fellow servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me.

while we sent Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in preaching the Good News about Christ. We sent him to strengthen you and help your faith,

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.

You spoke to me, and I listened to every word. I belong to you, LORD God Almighty, and so your words filled my heart with joy and happiness.

Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head.

Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

and have stopped holding on to Christ, who is the head of the body. Under Christ's control the whole body is nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God wants it to grow.

Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were,

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living,

Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved.

for the immoral, for sexual perverts, for kidnappers, for those who lie and give false testimony or who do anything else contrary to sound doctrine.

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.

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

The law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.

What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all.

Jesus answered, "What I teach is not my own teaching, but it comes from God, who sent me.

Whoever is willing to do what God wants will know whether what I teach comes from God or whether I speak on my own authority.

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.

But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine.

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

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

Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.

But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were,