1 Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the teachings will not be blasphemed.
2 Do not despise your believing masters, because they are brothers. Serve them, because they who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
3 If any man teaches a different doctrine, and does not consent to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine that is according to godliness,
4 he is proud, knows nothing, has a morbid interest in questions and disputes about words, which leads to envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
5 frictions between men corrupted in mind and lacking in truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
6 Godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 We brought nothing into the world and we can carry nothing out.
8 We should be content with having food and covering.
9 Those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts. These draw men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some by longing for it have been led away from the faith. They have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, run from these things. Pursue (set your heart on) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith! Lay hold on everlasting life! You were called and confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
13 I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession:
14 Keep the commandment without spot and without reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 The blessed and only Potentate (Sovereign) (Authority) will make him appear in his own appointed time. For he is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
16 Only God has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light. No man has seen him, nor can see him. To him be honor and power forever. Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present system not to be high-minded (arrogant), not to have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 They should do good works and be rich in good works, that they are ready to distribute, willing to communicate.
19 They store up for them a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life that is life indeed.
20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed to you. Turn away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from opposition and from false knowledge.
21 Some have professed this knowledge and erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.