1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke account their masters worthy of all honor, that the name and doctrine of God may not be blasphemed.
2 And let those who have believing masters not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather serve, because they are believers and beloved, who partake of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any one teaches differently, and consents not to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to piety,
4 he is blinded and knows nothing, but has a sickly longing for debates and wars of words, from which arise envy, contention, blasphemies, evil suspicions,
5 and wranglings of men of unsound judgments and destitute of the truth, supposing that piety is gain.
6 But piety with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world; it is clear that we can carry nothing out of it;
8 but having food and clothing let us be contented with them.
9 But those who wish to be rich fall into trial and a snare, and many foolish and injurious desires, which plunge men into destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all evils, which some having desired have been misled from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But do you, O man of God, avoid these things; but pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were called and made the good profession before many witnesses.
13 I charge you before the God who gives life to all [creatures], and Christ Jesus who made the good profession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep the charge without spot, without blame, till the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 which the blessed and only Potentate will show in its times, the King of kings and Lord of Lords,
16 who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no man has seen nor can see; to whom be honor and power eternal; amen.
17 Charge the rich in the present life not to be high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who gives us all things richly to enjoy,
18 to perform good works, to be rich in good works, to be liberal, benevolent,
19 treasuring up for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold on the true life.