1 Timothy 6

1 As for slaves [DOU] [who are believers, teach them that they] should consider that it is right for them to honor their masters in every way. If they do that, people will not speak (against/evil about) God [MTY] and they will not speak (against/evil about) that which [we apostles] teach, [because they will see that the slaves are being respectful of their masters].

All who are in the position of slaves should regard their masters as deserving of the greatest respect, so that the name of God, and our teaching, may not be maligned.

2 [Slaves] who have masters who believe [in Christ] must not be disrespectful to their masters just because their masters are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve [their masters] even better because [their masters] are fellow believers whom [God] loves and who benefit when [the slaves] serve them well. As you teach these things [to your congregation], exhort/urge [people] that they do them.

Those who have Christian masters should not think less of them because they are also followers of Christ, but on the contrary they should serve them all the better, because those who are to benefit by their good work are dear to them as their fellow Christians.

3 Some people teach things that are different. What they teach (does not agree with/is not like) the correct teaching that our Lord Jesus Christ [taught] (OR, that is about our Lord Jesus Christ). They do not say that we should conduct our lives (in a [godly manner/] a [manner that pleases God]).

Anyone who teaches otherwise, and refuses their assent to sound instruction – the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ – and to the teaching of religion,

4 Such people are very proud and do not understand anything [HYP]. Instead, they abnormally/wrongly desire to [argue about unimportant] matters and about certain words. As a result, [people who listen to them] (envy [others/] to have what others have). They quarrel [with others and with one another]. They say bad things about [others. They] suspect/think that [others] have evil ([motives/reasons for doing what they do]).

is puffed up with conceit, not really knowing anything, but having a morbid craving for discussions and arguments. Such things only give rise to envy, quarrelling, recriminations, base suspicions,

5 Their whole way of thinking has become completely wrong [because] they have rejected the true [doctrine/teaching]. As a result, they [mistakenly] think that (by practicing religion/by saying that they believe in God) they will gain a lot of [money].

and incessant wrangling on the part of these corrupt-minded people who have lost all hold on the truth, and who think of religion only as a source of gain.

6 [Well, we] truly do gain great [benefit] when we conduct our lives (in a [godly manner/] a [manner that pleases God]) and we are content [with what we have].

Of course religion is a great source of gain – when combined with contentment!

7 We brought nothing into the world [when we were born], and we cannot take anything out [of it when we die],

For we brought nothing into the world, because we cannot even carry anything out of it.

8 so if we have food and clothing, we should be satisfied with these.

So, with food and shelter, we will be content.

9 But some people strongly desire to be rich. As a result, they [do wrong things to get money, and this will cause them to] be caught/trapped [MET] as animals get caught in traps. They foolishly desire many things, and those desires cause them to get hurt. And God will completely reject [them]!

Those who want to be rich fall into the net of temptation, and become the prey of many foolish and harmful ambitions, which plunge people into destruction and ruin.

10 All kinds of bad things will happen to people who [PRS] desire to have a lot of money. Because some people longed for money, they have stopped believing the doctrine/teaching [that all of us believe] and they have caused themselves much grief/sadness.

Love of money is a source of all kinds of evil; and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith, and have been pierced to the heart by many a regret.

11 But as for you, who are a man who [serves God], (keep completely away from such love of money/do not be like the people who love money). Decide that you will do what is right, and that you will (be godly/do what pleases God). Decide that you will trust [God], and that you will love [others]. Endure [difficult circumstances]. Always be gentle [with people].

But you must, servant of God, avoid all this. Aim at righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.

12 Try earnestly and with all your energy/strength [MET] to live in accordance with what you believe. [Continue to do your tasks well in order that] you will know for sure that you will live eternally. Remember that [God] chose you to [live with him], and that when many elders were listening you said strongly ([what you believe/that you trust in Christ]). (aiōnios g166)

Run the great race of the faith, and win the eternal life. It was for this that you received the call, and, in the presence of many witnesses, made the great profession of faith. (aiōnios g166)

13 God, who gives life to all things, knows everything that you do. Christ Jesus also knows everything that you do. He strongly declared what was true when [he was on trial before] Pontius Pilate.

I beg you, as in the sight of God, the source of all life, and of Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate made the great profession of faith –

14 I command you that as you keep all that in mind, in every way you (hold fast/obey) to what Christ has commanded us [DOU]. (Hold fast/obey) to those teachings in a way that our Lord Jesus Christ cannot (criticize you about/say that what you did was wrong), until he comes again.

I implore you to keep his command free from stain or reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 [Remember that God] will cause Jesus to come again at the proper time. God is awesome! He is the only Ruler! He rules over all other people who rule!

This will be brought about in his own time by the one ever-blessed Potentate, the king of all kings and Lord of all lords,

16 He is the only one who will never die, [and he lives in heaven surrounded by] light [that is so bright that] no one can approach it! He is the one whom no person has ever seen and whom no person is able to see! My desire is that all people will honor him and that he [will rule] powerfully [MTY] forever! (May it be so!/Amen!) (aiōnios g166)

who alone is possessed of immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or ever can see – to whom be ascribed honour and power for ever. Amen. (aiōnios g166)

17 Tell [the believers] who are rich here in this present world that they should not be proud, and that they should not trust in their many [possessions], because they cannot be certain [how long they will have them]. Teach them that instead of [trusting in their wealth, they should trust] in God. He is the one who generously gives us everything we have in order that we may enjoy it. (aiōn g165)

Teach those who are wealthy in this life not to pride themselves, or fix their hopes, on so uncertain a thing as wealth, but on God, who gives us a wealth of enjoyment on every side. (aiōn g165)

18 Also, tell them that their good deeds must be as plentiful [as their money]. Specifically, they should share very generously with others [what they have].

Teach them to show kindness, to exhibit a wealth of good actions, to be open-handed and generous,

19 If they do that, [Jesus will give them a great reward. It will be as though] they are piling up [in heaven] treasure for themselves that will (be a good [basis on which they may rely] for/result in their) receiving a great reward in the future (OR, which will be [as] solid [as] the foundation [MET] [of a house]). By doing this they will experience what real life is like.

storing up for themselves what in the future will prove to be a good foundation, so that they may gain the only true life.

20 Timothy, faithfully proclaim/protect the true message (OR, do the work) that [Jesus] has given [to you]. (Avoid/Do not listen to) [people who want to] chatter about things that are not important to God. (Avoid/Do not listen to) [people who claim/say that they have] ‘true knowledge’ but who say things that oppose/contradict [our true teaching].

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane prattle and contradictions of what some miscall “theology,”

21 ([Keep completely away from/Reject completely]) [such teaching. Remember that] some people who claim [to have this ‘knowledge’] have stopped believing what [all of us] believe. ([I desire that/May]) [God continue to act] kindly toward you all.

for there are those who, while asserting their proficiency in it, have yet, as regards the faith, gone altogether astray. God bless you all.