6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,p so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.q 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.r Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfarea of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.s 3 If anyone teaches otherwiset and does not agree to the sound instructionu of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceitedv and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about wordsw that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truthx and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentmenty is great gain.z 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.a 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.b 9 Those who want to get richc fall into temptation and a trapd and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of moneye is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faithf and pierced themselves with many griefs.g

Final Charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God,h flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,i faith, love,j endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fightk of the faith. Take hold ofl the eternal lifem to which you were called when you made your good confessionn 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 Pilateo made the good confession,p I charge youq 14 to keep this command without spot or blamer until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,s 15 which God will bring about in his own timet—God, the blessedu and only Ruler,v the King of kings and Lord of lords,w 16 who alone is immortalx and who lives in unapproachable light,y whom no one has seen or can see.z To him be honor and might forever. Amen.a

17 Command those who are richb in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,c which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,d who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.e 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,f and to be generous and willing to share.g 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselvesh as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold ofi the life that is truly life.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrustedj to your care. Turn away from godless chatterk and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.l

Grace be with you all.m