1 Let all who are slaves under a yoke consider their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not despise them because they are brothers, but serve them all the better, because those who receive the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not adhere to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to teaching according to godliness, 4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sickly craving for disputes and battles over words, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 constant friction among people whose minds are corrupted and who are deprived of the truth, imagining godliness to be a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to become rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evils. By reaching for it, some have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life, to which you were called. You also made the good confession before many witnesses. 13 I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who testified to the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 to keep the commandment spotless and above reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which at the proper times the blessed and only Sovereign will display, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal might. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with all things for enjoyment, 18 to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning away from profane empty talk and the opposing claims of falsely named knowledge. 21 Some who profess it have missed the mark concerning the faith. Grace be with you.