1 Timothy 6
1 All who are bound under slavery should consider their masters worthy of respect, so that God's name and Christian beliefs won't be defamed.
Whoever are servants under the yoke, let them consider their masters to be worthy of every honor, lest the name and doctrine of the Lord be blasphemed.
2 Slaves who have Christian masters should not disrespect them because they are brothers. Instead they should serve them even better, because those who are benefiting from their service are fellow-believers they should love. Teach these instructions, and encourage people to follow them.
But those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them all the more because they are believing and beloved, participants of the same service. Teach and exhort these things.
3 Those that teach different beliefs, and don't listen to good counsel, particularly the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the true teachings of God,
If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is in accord with piety,
4 are arrogant and don't understand anything. They're obsessed with speculation and philosophical debates which only lead to jealousy, arguments, malicious gossip and evil suspicions—
then he is arrogant, knowing nothing, yet languishing amid the questions and quarrels of words. From these arise envy, contention, blasphemy, evil suspicions:
5 the constant arguing of people whose minds are totally corrupt and who have lost the truth, thinking that they can profit financially from religion…
the conflicts of men who have been corrupted in mind and deprived of truth, who consider profit to be piety.
6 But knowing and following God is so incredibly satisfying!
But piety with sufficiency is great gain.
7 For we didn't bring anything into the world, and we can't take anything out with us either.
For we brought nothing into this world, and there is no doubt that we can take nothing away.
8 But if we have food and clothes then that's enough for us.
But, having nourishment and some kind of covering, we should be content with these.
9 Those who are determined to become rich fall into the trap of temptation, following many foolish and damaging impulses.
For those who want to become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and harmful desires, which submerge men in destruction and in perdition.
10 For the desire to be rich leads to many kinds of evil results. Some of those who longed for this have turned away from the truth, and have hurt themselves, experiencing a lot of pain.
For desire is the root of all evils. Some persons, hungering in this way, have strayed from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.
11 But you as a man of God should run away from such things. You should seek to do what is right, practice true religion, and trust in God. Aim to love, to be patient, and gentle.
But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and truly pursue justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight as you trust in God. Hold on tightly to the eternal life to which you were called. This is what you promised to do in front of many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)
Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you have been called, and make a good profession of faith in the sight of many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)
13 My charge to you before God the Life-giver, and before Christ Jesus who testified to the good news before Pontius Pilate,
I charge you, in the sight of God, who enlivens all things, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who gave the testimony of a good profession under Pontius Pilate,
14 is to follow faithfully what you've been told so you will be above criticism until our Lord Jesus Christ appears.
to observe the commandment, immaculately, irreproachably, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 At the right time Jesus will be revealed—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
For at the proper time, he shall reveal the blessed and only Power, the King of kings and the Lord of lords,
16 He is the only one who is immortal, and lives in unapproachable light. No one has seen him or can see him—honor and eternal power is his! Amen. (aiōnios g166)
who alone holds immortality, and who inhabits the inaccessible light, whom no man has seen, nor even is able to see, to whom is honor and everlasting dominion. Amen. (aiōnios g166)
17 Warn those who are rich in the present world not to become proud. Tell them not to place their trust in wealth that is so insecure but in God who so freely gives us everything for our enjoyment. (aiōn g165)
Instruct the wealthy of this age not to have a superior attitude, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who offers us everything in abundance to enjoy, (aiōn g165)
18 Tell them to do good, and to become rich in doing good things, ready to share what they have, and to be generous.
and to do good, to become rich in good works, to donate readily, to share,
19 In this way they store up treasure that will provide a solid basis for the future, so that they can take hold of true life.
to gather for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may obtain true life.
20 Timothy, take care of what's been given to you. Don't pay any attention to pointless chatter and arguments based on so-called “knowledge.”
O Timothy, guard what has been deposited with you, avoiding the voice of profane novelties and of opposing ideas, which are falsely called knowledge.
21 Some who promote these ideas have wandered away from their trust in God. May grace be with you.
Certain persons, promising these things, have perished from the faith. May grace be with you. Amen.
