1 Timothy 6

1 All who are in the position of slaves should regard their masters as deserving of the greatest respect, so that the name of God, and our teaching, may not be maligned.

Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 Those who have Christian masters should not think less of them because they are also followers of Christ, but on the contrary they should serve them all the better, because those who are to benefit by their good work are dear to them as their fellow Christians.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.

3 Anyone who teaches otherwise, and refuses their assent to sound instruction – the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ – and to the teaching of religion,

If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 is puffed up with conceit, not really knowing anything, but having a morbid craving for discussions and arguments. Such things only give rise to envy, quarrelling, recriminations, base suspicions,

he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 and incessant wrangling on the part of these corrupt-minded people who have lost all hold on the truth, and who think of religion only as a source of gain.

wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

6 Of course religion is a great source of gain – when combined with contentment!

But godliness with contentment is great gain:

7 For we brought nothing into the world, because we cannot even carry anything out of it.

for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;

8 So, with food and shelter, we will be content.

but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.

9 Those who want to be rich fall into the net of temptation, and become the prey of many foolish and harmful ambitions, which plunge people into destruction and ruin.

But they that desire to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 Love of money is a source of all kinds of evil; and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith, and have been pierced to the heart by many a regret.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But you must, servant of God, avoid all this. Aim at righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Run the great race of the faith, and win the eternal life. It was for this that you received the call, and, in the presence of many witnesses, made the great profession of faith. (aiōnios g166)

Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)

13 I beg you, as in the sight of God, the source of all life, and of Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate made the great profession of faith –

I charge thee in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;

14 I implore you to keep his command free from stain or reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 This will be brought about in his own time by the one ever-blessed Potentate, the king of all kings and Lord of all lords,

which in its own times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 who alone is possessed of immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or ever can see – to whom be ascribed honour and power for ever. Amen. (aiōnios g166)

who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power eternal. Amen. (aiōnios g166)

17 Teach those who are wealthy in this life not to pride themselves, or fix their hopes, on so uncertain a thing as wealth, but on God, who gives us a wealth of enjoyment on every side. (aiōn g165)

Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (aiōn g165)

18 Teach them to show kindness, to exhibit a wealth of good actions, to be open-handed and generous,

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 storing up for themselves what in the future will prove to be a good foundation, so that they may gain the only true life.

laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is [life] indeed.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane prattle and contradictions of what some miscall “theology,”

O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto [thee], turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

21 for there are those who, while asserting their proficiency in it, have yet, as regards the faith, gone altogether astray. God bless you all.

which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.