Sound Teaching and Christian Living

1But you must say the things that are consistent with sound teaching.a 2Older menb are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love,c and endurance. 3In the same way, older womend are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissivee to their husbands, so that God’s messagef will not be slandered.

6In the same way, encourage the young meng to be self-controlled 7in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignityh in your teaching. 8Your message is to be sound beyond reproach,i so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

9•Slaves are to be submissive to their mastersj in everything, and to be well-pleasing,k not talking back 10or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Saviorl in everything.

11For the grace of God has appeared with salvationm for all people,n 12instructing us to deny godlessnesso and worldly lustsp and to live in a sensible, righteous,q and godlyr way in the present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hopes and appearing of the gloryt of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14He gave Himself for usu to •redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession,v eager to do good works.

15Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregardw you.