1 Let as many as are servants under the yoke account their own masters worthy of all honor; that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemed:
2 and let not those who have believing masters, despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them more readily, because they are faithful and beloved by God, partakers of his grace.
3 These things teach and exhort. If any one teach otherwise, and adhere not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is delirious about questions and strifes of words: from which cometh envy, contention, calumnies, wicked suspicions, perverse debates of men corrupted in mind,
5 and void of truth, accounting gain to be godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out:
8 having therefore food and raiment, let us be herewith content.
9 But they, that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which plunge men into ruin and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evils, which some coveting after have been led astray from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But do thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, piety, fidelity, love, patience, meekness.
12 Maintain the glorious combat of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which thou hast been called, and hast made a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I charge thee before God, who giveth life to all, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that thou keep this commandment, unspotted and blameless, till the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ;
15 which He will manifest in his own times, who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords,
16 who alone hath immortality, dwelling in light inaccessible, whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them, that are rich in this world, not to be high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who richly affords us all things for enjoyment: charge them to do good,
18 to be rich in good works, to be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 treasuring up to themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may obtain eternal life.