1 Timothy 2

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1So before anything else, I ask you to pray for all people. Ask God to give people what they need. Also thank God for them.

2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2Pray for kings and for everyone who is in charge. Then we can live quiet and peaceful lives. We can honor God and live in a good, honest way.

3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

3This is a good thing to do. It makes God happy. He is our Savior, the one who saves us.

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

4God wants every person to be saved. He wants everyone to come to know what is true.

5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

5There is only one God. And there is only one person who brings God and people together. That is the man Christ Jesus.

6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

6Jesus gave himself to pay the price that sets all people free. At the right time, this news was told to everyone.

NoteA ransom is the price someone pays to set a prisoner free.

7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

7God chose me to tell this news out loud. I am an apostle, someone Jesus sent out. I teach people who are not Jewish about faith and truth. I am telling the truth. I am not lying.

8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

8So I want men everywhere to pray. They should lift up clean hands to God. They should not be angry, and they should not argue.

NoteThe old word here is "doubting," but it means quarreling or arguing with each other.

9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

9In the same way, women should dress in a proper way. They should be modest and keep control of themselves. They should not show off with fancy braided hair. They should not show off with gold, pearls, or costly clothes.

Note"Shamefacedness" does not mean feeling ashamed. It means being modest. "Sobriety" means having self-control, not being serious all the time. "Broided" is an old spelling of braided.

10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

10Instead, let people notice the good things they do. That is what fits women who say they worship God.

11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

11A woman should learn quietly. She should be willing to listen and obey.

12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

12I do not allow a woman to teach. I do not allow her to have authority over a man. She is to stay quiet.

Note"I suffer not" is old English for "I do not allow." "Usurp authority" here means holding or using authority over someone.

13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

13God made Adam first. After that, God made Eve.

14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

14Adam was not tricked. The woman was tricked, and she did what was wrong.

15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

15But she will be saved through having children. That is true if they keep on trusting God. They must keep loving others and living a holy life. And they must keep control of themselves.