Instructions to Those Who Serve

1All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be [†]slandered. 2But those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but must serve them all the more, because those who [†]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

3If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not [†]agree with sound words—those of our Lord Jesus Christ—and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4he is conceited, understanding nothing but [†]having a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, 5and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that [†]godliness is a means of gain. 6But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. 7For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all [†]sorts of evils, and some by aspiring to it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, [†]perseverance, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I charge you in the presence of God, who [†]gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which He will [†]bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of [†]kings and Lord of [†]lords, 16who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal might! Amen.

17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good [†]works, to be generous and ready to share, 19storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning aside from godless and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge— 21which some, while professing, have gone astray [†]from the faith.

Grace be with you.