< 1 Timothy 6 >
1 Let those who are under the yoke as slaves esteem their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teachings be not blasphemed.
2 Those whose masters are Christian believers must not treat them with disrespect, because they are brothers; nay, rather slave for them the better because those who get the benefit of their services are believing and beloved. Continue to teach and preach this.
3 If any one teaches heterodoxy, and refuses to consent to the wholesome words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teachings of religion,
4 he is puffed up with conceit and knows nothing, but is doting about disputations and a strife of words. These give rise to envy, quarrels, railings, evil suspicions,
5 and wrangling between men whose minds are corrupt and destitute of the truth; who suppose that godliness is a source of gain.
6 Now godliness with contentment is truly gainful;
7 for we have brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out!
8 So if we have food and shelter, let us be content with that.
9 Those who desire to be rich fall into the snares of temptation and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil; and in their eager desire to be rich some have been led astray form the faith, and have pierced themselves with many sorrows.
11 But you, O servant of God, flee from these things, and run after integrity, piety, faith, love, stedfastness, gentleness.
12 Keep contending in the noble contest of the faith; seize hold on eternal life, to which you were called when you confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (aiōnios )
13 In the presence of God who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus who bore witness to the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 I charge you, keep your commission spotless and irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 For in his own good time this will be brought about by that blessed and only potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone possesses immortality, who dwells in light that none can approach, whom no man has ever seen or can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. (aiōnios )
17 Charge the rich of this world not to be supercilious, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in God, who provides all things richly for our use. (aiōn )
18 Charge them to practise benevolence, to be rich in good works, to be open-handed and generous,
19 laying up right good treasure for themselves in the world to come, in order that they may obtain the Life which is life indeed.
20 O, Timothy, guard the treasure which is committed to you. Shun the profane babblings and contradictions of the falsely called "knowledge"
21 which some professing have erred from the faith. Grace be with you.
