Honoring Masters

6 All who are under the yoke as * slaves must regard their own masters i to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name j and His teaching will not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are * brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. k

False Doctrine and Human Greed

Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord l Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, m 4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. n From these come envy, o quarreling, p slander, q evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness r is a way to material gain. s t 6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain. u

7 For we brought nothing into the world,

and v we can take nothing out. w

8 But if we have food and clothing, x

we will be content with these.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root y of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith z and pierced themselves with many pains.

Fight the Good Fight

11 But you, man of God, run from these things,

and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,

love, a endurance, b and gentleness.

12 Fight the good fight c for the faith;

take hold of eternal life d

that you were called to

and have made a good confession about

in the presence of many witnesses.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, e and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius * Pilate, f I charge you 14 to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing g of our Lord h Jesus Christ. 15 God will bring this about in His own time. i He is

the blessed and only j Sovereign,

the King of kings, k

and the Lord of lords, l

16 the only One who has immortality,

dwelling in unapproachable light; m

no one has seen or can see Him, n

to Him be honor and eternal might. o

* Amen. p

Instructions to the Rich

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant q or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, r who richly provides us with all things s to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, t to be generous, willing to share, u 19 storing up for themselves a good reserve v for the age to come, w so that they may take hold of life that is real.

Guard the Heritage

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, x avoiding y irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. z 21 By professing it, some a people have deviated from the faith. b

Grace be with all of you.