 1 As many servants as are under the yoke should count their own masters worthy of all honor so that the name of God and His doctrine is not blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not despise them because they are family+. But rather, do them service because they are faithful and beloved partakers of the benefit. Teach and exhort these things. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine according to godliness, 4 then they are proud and know nothing. Rather, they have sick+ minds full of questions and strifes of words from which comes envy, strife, reviling+, evil accusations+, 5 and perverse disputings by people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth who suppose that gain is godliness. Withdraw yourself from such. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 Having food and clothing+, let us be content with that. 9 Those who desire+ to be rich fall into temptation~ and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts that drown people in destruction and damnation+. 10 For the love~ of money is the root of all evil. While some have coveted after it, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O people+ of God, flee from these things. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life to which you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the sight of God who quickens all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without spot and unrebukable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 He will show, in due time, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. 16 He alone has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable+, whom no one has seen nor can see. To Him be honor and power everlasting. Amen. 17 Charge those who are rich in this world, that they not be high minded nor trust in uncertain riches, but only in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Do this so that they may do good, so that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to share+, 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come so that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy, keep what is committed to your trust. Avoid worldly+ and vain babblings and the oppositions of science, falsely so called. 21 By professing these things, some have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
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