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Serving with Honor

Verse1All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.

Verse2Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Reject False Doctrines

Verse3If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,

Verse4he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

Verse5and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

Godliness with Contentment

Verse6Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

Verse7For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.

Verse8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

Verse9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

Verse10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Fight the Good Fight

Verse11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

Verse12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

Verse13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:

Verse14Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Verse15which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.

Verse16He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

A Charge to the Rich

Verse17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Verse18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

Verse19treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Guard the Faith

Verse20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

Verse21which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.