1 Timothy 6

1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.

Let all who are servants under the yoke give all honour to their masters, so that no evil may be said against the name of God and his teaching.

2 Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

And let those whose masters are of the faith have respect for them because they are brothers, working for them the more readily, because those who take part in the good work are of the faith and are dear. Give orders and teaching about these things.

3 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,

If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,

4 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

He has an over-high opinion of himself; being without knowledge, having only an unhealthy love of questionings and wars of words, from which come envy, fighting, cruel words, evil thoughts,

5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

Bitter talk of men who, being evil in mind and dead to what is true, take the faith to be a way of making profit.

6 Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

But true faith, with peace of mind, is of great profit:

7 For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.

For we came into the world with nothing, and we are not able to take anything out;

8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

But if we have food and a roof over us, let that be enough.

9 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

But those who have a desire for wealth are falling into danger, and are taken as in a net by a number of foolish and damaging desires, through which men are overtaken by death and destruction.

10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

For the love of money is a root of all evil: and some whose hearts were fixed on it have been turned away from the faith, and been wounded with unnumbered sorrows.

11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

But you, O man of God, keep yourself from these things, and go after righteousness, religion, faith, love, a quiet mind, gentle behaviour.

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)

Be fighting the good fight of the faith; take for yourself the life eternal, for which you were marked out, and of which you gave witness in the eyes of all. (aiōnios g166)

13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:

I give you orders before God, the giver of life, and Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate gave witness to the faith,

14 Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

To keep the word untouched by evil, clear from all shame, till the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.

Which at the right time he will make clear, who is the eternal and only Ruler, King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (aiōnios g166)

Who only has life for ever, living in light to which no man may come near; whom no man has seen or is able to see: to whom be honour and power for ever. So be it. (aiōnios g166)

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. (aiōn g165)

Give orders to those who have money and goods in this life, not to be lifted up in their minds, or to put their hope in the uncertain chances of wealth, but in God who gives us in full measure all things for our use; (aiōn g165)

18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

And to do good, having wealth in good works, being quick to give, taking part with one another;

19 treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Making ready for themselves a safe place for the time to come, so that the true life may be theirs.

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

O Timothy, take good care of that which is given to you, turning away from the wrong and foolish talk and arguments of that knowledge which is falsely so named;

21 which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Through which some, who gave their minds to it, have been turned away from the faith. Grace be with you.