6 All slaves should know that it is right to respect their masters. Then other people will not insult God's name or the message that we teach. 2 Slaves who have masters who are also believers must continue to respect them. As believers, the slave and his master are like brothers together. But that slave must not refuse to obey his master because of that. Instead, he should work even better for his master. He should do that because he loves his master as a believer.
Teach these things and tell people to obey them.
3 Some people teach a false message that is different. Their message does not agree with the true message that our Lord Jesus Christ taught. They do not teach people to live in a way that pleases God. 4 People like that think that they are very clever. But they do not really understand anything. They like to argue about things which are not important. They like to quarrel about words. As a result, people become jealous of one another, and they become angry with each other. They insult other people and they think bad things about them. 5 Their minds have become confused and they argue all the time. They refuse to believe God's true message. They think that they will become rich if they say that they are serving God.
6 What makes our life really rich? We should serve God in a way that pleases him and be happy with the things that we have. [ a ] 7 When we were born, we brought nothing with us into this world. When we die, we cannot take anything with us out of the world. 8 So, if we have enough food and clothes, we should be happy with that.
9 But some people want to have lots of money. This causes them to do wrong things. They cannot get free from their bad ways, like an animal in a trap. They want many things for themselves. Their foolish thoughts hurt them and finally destroy their lives. 10 When people like to have lots of money, it causes all kinds of bad things to happen. Some people have stopped believing the message about Christ because they want to get more money. As a result, they have caused themselves to become sad with many troubles.
11 But you, Timothy, are a servant of God. So keep away from all bad things like that. Instead, always try to do what is right. Serve God in a way that pleases him. Choose to trust God and to love other people. Continue to be strong when you have trouble. Be kind to people. 12 Continue to believe God's true message. Be like someone who fights well to keep it safe. God has chosen you to live with him for ever. You stood in front of many people and said clearly that you believed in Jesus Christ. So live in a way that shows that you belong to him.
13 Christ Jesus himself spoke God's true message clearly when he stood in front of Pontius Pilate. [ b ] I now say this to you, in front of God who causes all things to be alive, and in front of Jesus. 14 You must obey the commands that you have received. Obey them completely without any mistake until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 15 God will cause Christ to appear at the proper time. God is great, and he alone rules with all authority. He is the greatest King and the most powerful Lord. 16 God alone lives for ever. He lives in very bright light that nobody can come near. Nobody has ever seen God. Nobody is able to see him. So we praise him! He will rule for ever with great authority! Amen! This is true.
17 Warn those people who are rich with many things that belong to this world. Tell them not to think that they are more important than other people. They must not think that their money will keep them safe. They could easily lose all of it. Instead, they should trust God. He gives us many things, so that we can enjoy all of them. 18 Tell those rich people to do many good things to help other people. They should be very kind to other people and share their things with them. 19 In that way they will store valuable things for themselves in heaven. These things will be a strong help for them in the future. As a result, they will have true life with God.
20 Timothy, God has given you his true message to tell people. You must keep that message safe. Do not listen to people who say a lot of silly things that are not important to God. Those people think that they have special knowledge. But their ideas are against God's true message. 21 Some people have believed those wrong ideas and now they no longer trust God.
I pray that God will continue to be very kind to all of you.
6 All those who are slaves should show full respect to their masters. Then God’s name and our teaching will not be criticized. 2 Some slaves have masters who are believers, so they are brothers. Does this mean they should show their masters any less respect? No, they should serve them even better, because they are helping believers, people they should love.
This is what you must teach and tell everyone to do.
3 Some people will teach what is false and will not agree with the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. They will not accept the teaching that produces a life of devotion to God. 4 They are proud of what they know, but they understand nothing. They are sick with a love for arguing and fighting about words. And that brings jealousy, quarrels, insults, and evil mistrust. 5 They are always making trouble, because they are people whose thinking has been confused. They have lost their understanding of the truth. They think that devotion to God is a way to get rich.
6 Devotion to God is, in fact, a way for people to be very rich, but only if it makes them satisfied with what they have. 7 When we came into the world, we brought nothing. And when we die, we can take nothing out. 8 So, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. 9 People who want to be rich bring temptations to themselves. They are caught in a trap. They begin to want many foolish things that will hurt them. These things ruin and destroy people. 10 The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have turned away from what we believe because they want to get more and more money. But they have caused themselves a lot of pain and sorrow.
11 But you belong to God. So you should stay away from all those things. Always try to do what is right, to be devoted to God, and to have faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 12 We have to fight to keep our faith. Try as hard as you can to win that fight. Take hold of eternal life. It is the life you were chosen to have when you confessed your faith in Jesus—that wonderful truth that you spoke so openly and that so many people heard. 13 Before God and Christ Jesus I give you a command. Jesus is the one who confessed that same wonderful truth when he stood before Pontius Pilate. And God is the one who gives life to everything. Now I tell you this: 14 Do what you were commanded to do without fault or blame until the time when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 15 God will make that happen at the right time. God is the blessed and only Ruler. He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. 16 God is the only one who never dies. He lives in light so bright that people cannot go near it. No one has ever seen him; no one is able to see him. All honor and power belong to him forever. Amen.
17 Give this command to those who are rich with the things of this world. Tell them not to be proud. Tell them to hope in God, not their money. Money cannot be trusted, but God takes care of us richly. He gives us everything to enjoy. 18 Tell those who are rich to do good—to be rich in good works. And tell them they should be happy to give and ready to share. 19 By doing this, they will be saving up a treasure for themselves. And that treasure will be a strong foundation on which their future life will be built. They will be able to have the life that is true life.
20 Timothy, God has trusted you with many things. Keep these things safe. Stay away from people who talk about useless things that are not from God and who argue against you with a “knowledge” that is not knowledge at all. 21 Some people who claim to have that “knowledge” have gone completely away from what we believe.
God’s grace be with you all.
6 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
6 ( A ) All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor ( B ) so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be [ a ] spoken against. 2 Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are ( C ) brothers or sisters , but must serve them all the more, because those who [ b ] partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. ( D ) Teach and [ c ] preach these principles .
3 If anyone ( E ) advocates a different doctrine and does not [ d ] agree with ( F ) sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine ( G ) conforming to godliness, 4 he is ( H ) conceited and understands nothing; but he [ e ] has a sick craving for ( I ) controversial questions and ( J ) disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between ( K ) people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who ( L ) suppose that [ f ] godliness is a means of gain. 6 ( M ) But godliness actually is a means of ( N ) great gain when accompanied by ( O ) contentment. 7 For ( P ) we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8 If we ( Q ) have food and [ g ] covering, with these we shall be content. 9 ( R ) But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and ( S ) a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For ( T ) the love of money is a root of all [ h ] sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have ( U ) wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many [ i ] griefs.
11 But ( V ) flee from these things, you ( W ) man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, ( X ) faith, ( Y ) love, [ j ] perseverance, and gentleness. 12 ( Z ) Fight the good fight of ( AA ) faith; ( AB ) take hold of the eternal life ( AC ) to which you were called, and for which you made the good ( AD ) confession in the presence of ( AE ) many witnesses. 13 ( AF ) I direct you in the presence of God, who [ k ] gives life to all things, and of ( AG ) Christ Jesus, who testified the ( AH ) good confession ( AI ) before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without [ l ] fault or reproach until the ( AJ ) appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will [ m ] bring about at ( AK ) the proper time—He who is ( AL ) the blessed and ( AM ) only Sovereign, ( AN ) the King of [ n ] kings and ( AO ) Lord of [ o ] lords, 16 ( AP ) who alone possesses immortality and ( AQ ) dwells in unapproachable light, ( AR ) whom [ p ] no one has seen or can see. ( AS ) To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
17 Instruct those who are rich in ( AT ) this present world ( AU ) not to be conceited or to ( AV ) set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, ( AW ) who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in ( AX ) good [ q ] works, ( AY ) to be generous and ready to share, 19 ( AZ ) storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may ( BA ) take hold of that which is truly life.
20 ( BB ) Timothy, protect ( BC ) what has been entrusted to you, avoiding ( BD ) worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thereby have ( BE ) gone astray [ r ] from ( BF ) the faith.
( BG ) Grace be with you.
6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, ( A ) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. ( B ) 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. ( C ) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare [ a ] of their slaves.
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ( D ) 3 If anyone teaches otherwise ( E ) and does not agree to the sound instruction ( F ) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited ( G ) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words ( H ) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth ( I ) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment ( J ) is great gain. ( K ) 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ( L ) 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ( M ) 9 Those who want to get rich ( N ) fall into temptation and a trap ( O ) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money ( P ) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith ( Q ) and pierced themselves with many griefs. ( R )
11 But you, man of God, ( S ) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, ( T ) faith, love, ( U ) endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight ( V ) of the faith. Take hold of ( W ) the eternal life ( X ) to which you were called when you made your good confession ( Y ) in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate ( Z ) made the good confession, ( AA ) I charge you ( AB ) 14 to keep this command without spot or blame ( AC ) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ( AD ) 15 which God will bring about in his own time ( AE ) —God, the blessed ( AF ) and only Ruler, ( AG ) the King of kings and Lord of lords, ( AH ) 16 who alone is immortal ( AI ) and who lives in unapproachable light, ( AJ ) whom no one has seen or can see. ( AK ) To him be honor and might forever. Amen. ( AL )
17 Command those who are rich ( AM ) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, ( AN ) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, ( AO ) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ( AP ) 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, ( AQ ) and to be generous and willing to share. ( AR ) 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves ( AS ) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of ( AT ) the life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted ( AU ) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter ( AV ) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. ( AW )
Grace be with you all. ( AX )
