A Call to Prayer

2 First of all, then, I urge that ^(A)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, ^2 (B)for kings and all who are in ^[a]authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and ^[b]dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of ^(C)God our Savior, ^4 (D)who wants all people to be ^(E)saved and to ^(F)come to the ^[c]knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is ^(G)one God, and ^(H)one mediator also between God and mankind, the ^(I)man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who ^(J)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the ^(K)testimony ^[d]given at ^[e](L)the proper time. ^7 (M)For this I was appointed as a ^[f]preacher and ^(N)an apostle (^(O)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of ^(P)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions for Believers

⁸ Therefore ^(Q)I want the men ^(R)in every place to pray, ^(S)lifting up ^(T)holy hands, without anger and dispute. ⁹ Likewise, I want ^(U)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, ^[g]modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. ^11 (V)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. ^12 (W)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. ^13 (X)For it was Adam who was first ^[h]created, and then Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but ^(Y)the woman was ^[i]deceived and ^[j]became a wrongdoer. ¹⁵ But ^[k]women will be ^[l]preserved through ^[m]childbirth—if they continue in ^(Z)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.