1 Timothy 6
1 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.
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 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.
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 If anyone teaches something that does not agree with the reliable instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
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 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,
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, quarreling, recriminations, base suspicions,
5 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.
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 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Of course religion is a great source of gain – when combined with contentment!
7 For we have brought nothing into the world. Neither are we able to take out anything.
For we brought nothing into the world, because we cannot even carry anything out of it.
8 Instead, let us be satisfied with food and clothing.
So, with food and shelter, we will be content.
9 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.
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 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.
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 you, man of God, flee from these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.
But you must, servant of God, avoid all this. Aim at righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
12 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)
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 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:
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 Keep the commandment without spot or blame until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I implore you to keep his command free from stain or reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 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.
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 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)
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 honor and power for ever. Amen. (aiōnios g166)
17 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)
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 Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and willing to share.
Teach them to show kindness, to exhibit a wealth of good actions, to be open-handed and generous,
19 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.
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, protect what was given to you. Avoid the foolish talk and conflicting ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane prattle and contradictions of what some miscall ‘theology,’
21 Some men proclaim these things and so they have missed the faith. May grace be with you.
for there are those who, while asserting their proficiency in it, have yet, as regards the faith, gone altogether astray. God bless you all.
