1 Timothy 6:3–21

Error and Greed

³If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to ^bwholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^cand to the ¹doctrine which accords with godliness, ⁴he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, ⁵²useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ³From ^dsuch withdraw yourself.

⁶Now godliness with ^econtentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, ⁴and it is ^fcertain we can carry nothing out. ⁸And having food and clothing, with these we shall be ^gcontent. ⁹But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The Good Confession

¹¹But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus ^hwho witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, ¹⁵which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only ⁵Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶who alone has immortality, dwelling in ⁱunapproachable light, ^jwhom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Instructions to the Rich

¹⁷Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain ^kriches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things ^lto enjoy. ¹⁸Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, ^19mstoring up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Guard the Faith

²⁰O Timothy! ⁿGuard what was committed to your trust, ^oavoiding the profane and ⁶idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—²¹by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.