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

2 Those who have Christian masters should not think less of them because they are their Brothers, 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 rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3 Any one who teaches otherwise, and refuses his assent to sound instruction — the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ — and to the teaching of religion,

If any man teacheth otherwise, and agreeth not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 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 proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, from which cometh envy, strife, railings, evil suspicions,

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.

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 And a great source of gain religion is, when it brings contentment with it!

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 this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

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

And having food and raiment with these let us be content.

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

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which 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 the root of all evil: which while some have coveted, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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

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

12 Run the great race of the Faith, and win the Immortal 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 faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)

13 I urge 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 command thee in the sight of God, who maketh alive all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 I urge you to keep his Command free from stain or reproach, until the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, 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,

Who in his times he shall show, 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 man 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 the light which no man can approach; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (aiōnios g166)

17 Urge upon 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 world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (aiōn g165)

18 Urge upon 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, ready to distribute, willing to share;

19 storing up for themselves what in the future will prove to be a good foundation, 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 eternal life.

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

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science 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 thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.