Guidelines for Christian Living

1But as for you, teach what is consistent with healthy doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober, serious, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3Likewise, older women are to show their reverence for God by their behavior. They are not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examplesa of goodness. 4They should encourage the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible and pure, to manage their households, to be kind, and to submit themselves to their husbands. Otherwise, the word of God may be discredited.b

6Likewise, encourage the younger men to be sensible. 7Always set an example for others by doing good actions. Teach with integrity and dignity. 8Use wholesome speech that cannot be condemned. Then any opponent will be ashamed because he cannot say anything bad about us.

9Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, aiming to please them and not argue with them 10or steal from them. Instead, they are to show complete and perfect loyalty, so that in every way they may make the teaching about God our Savior more attractive.

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12It trains us to renounce ungodly living and worldly passions so that we might live sensible, honest, and godly lives in the present age 13as we wait for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.c 14He gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to cleanse us so that we could be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good deeds.

15These are the things you should teach. Encourage and refute with full authority. Do not let anyone look down on you.