Proverbs 31 NLT

1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. 

2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 

3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. 

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. 

5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. 

6 Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. 

7 Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. 

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 

9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. 

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 

11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. 

12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 

13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. 

14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. 

15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. 

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. 

17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. 

18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. 

19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. 

20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. 

21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. 

22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. 

23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. 

24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. 

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. 

27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:

29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” 

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. 

31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

1 Timothy 1 NLT

Outline

• Greetings (1:1-2)
• Warning against False Teachers (1:3-11)
  • The Nature of the Heresy (1:3-7)
  • The Purpose of the Law (1:8-11)
• The Lord's Grace to Paul (1:12-17)
• The Purpose of Paul's Instructions to Timothy (1:18-20)
• Instructions concerning Church Administration (chs. 2-3)
  • Public Worship (ch. 2)
    • Prayer in public worship (2:1-8)
    • Women in public worship (2:9-15)
  • Qualifications for Church Officers (3:1-13)
    • Overseers (3:1-7)
    • Deacons (3:8-13)
  • Purpose of These Instructions (3:14-16)
• Instructions concerning False Teaching (ch. 4)
  • False Teaching Described (4:1-5)
  • Methods of Dealing with It Explained (4:6-16)
• Instructions concerning Different Groups in the Church (5:1;6:2)
  • The Older and Younger (5:1-2)
  • Widows (5:3-16)
  • Elders (5:17-25)
  • Slaves (6:1-2)
• Miscellaneous Matters (6:3-19)
  • False Teachers (6:3-5)
  • Love of Money (6:6-10)
  • Charge to Timothy (6:11-16)
  • The Rich (6:17-19)
• Concluding Appeal and Benediction (6:20-21)

1 Timothy 1 NLT

1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope. 

2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. 

3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 

4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. 

5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 

6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 

7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently. 

8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 

9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 

10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 

11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. 

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,

13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 

14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 

16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 

17All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. 

18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 

19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 

20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.