1 Timothy 6

1 Let the servants so many as are under the yoke, esteem those who are their masters worthy of all honor, in order that the name and doctrine of God may not be blasphemed.

Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor. They should do this so that the name of God and the teaching might not be blasphemed.

2 But let those that have faithful masters not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather let them serve them, because they are the faithful and beloved who are partaking of the benefaction. Command these things and exhort them.

The slaves who have believing masters should not disrespect them because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them all the more. For the masters who are helped by their work are believers and are loved. Teach and declare these things.

3 If any one teaches another doctrine, and does not give heed to the sound words which belonged to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

If anyone teaches something that does not agree with the reliable instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,

4 he has been inflated, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and controversies, from which come envy, strife, blasphemies, evil surmisings,

he is proud and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments about words that result in envy, strife, insults, evil suspicions,

5 wranglings of men having been corrupted as to their mind and turned away from the truth, considering that gain is godliness.

and constant conflict between people with depraved minds. They have lost the truth and they think that godliness is a way to get more money.

6 Godliness with contentment is great gain,

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 for because we have brought nothing into the world, we are not able to carry any thing out;

For we have brought nothing into the world. Neither are we able to take out anything.

8 however having food and raiment we shall be contented with these.

Instead, let us be satisfied with food and clothing.

9 But those wishing to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown the people in destruction and perdition.

Now those who want to become wealthy fall into temptation, into a trap. They fall into many foolish and harmful passions, and into whatever else makes people sink into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all evils: which some seeking after have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people who desire it have been mislead away from the faith and have pierced themselves with much grief.

11 But you, O man of God, fly from these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, divine love, patience, meekness.

But you, man of God, flee from these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, into which you have been called, and witnessed a beautiful testimony before many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)

Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the everlasting life to which you were called, and about which you gave the good confession before many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)

13 I charge you before God, who creates life in all things, and Jesus Christ, who witnessed a beautiful testimony before Pontius Pilate,

I give you this command before God, who causes all things to live, and before Christ Jesus, who spoke what is true to Pontius Pilate:

14 that you keep the commandment, spotless and pure, unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Keep the commandment without spot or blame until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 which the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of the kings, and Lord of the lords, will manifest in his own due times;

God will reveal Christ's appearing at the right time—God, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King who reigns and the Lord who rules.

16 he alone having immortality, inhabiting light unapproachable; whom no one of men has seen, or is able to see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen. (aiōnios g166)

Only he has immortality and dwells in inapproachable light. No man sees him or is able to view him. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen. (aiōnios g166)

17 Charge the rich in this world not to think high things, nor to hope in uncertain riches, but in God, who richly supplies us all things for our enjoyment; (aiōn g165)

Tell the rich in this world not to be proud, and not to hope in riches, which are uncertain. Instead, they should hope in God. He offers to us all the true riches to enjoy. (aiōn g165)

18 that they do good, be rich in good works, be cheerful givers, ready communicators;

Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and willing to share.

19 laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.

In that way, they will store up for themselves a good foundation for what is to come, so that they will take hold of real life.

20 O Timothy, stand guard over that which has been committed to you, avoiding unsanctified, empty talks and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called,

Timothy, protect what was given to you. Avoid the foolish talk and conflicting ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.

21 which some proclaiming have made shipwreck concerning the faith. Grace be with you.

Some men proclaim these things and so they have missed the faith. May grace be with you.