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

Let all who are under the yoke as bond servants esteem their own masters worthy of honor and fullest respect, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be brought into disrepute and blasphemed.

2 A nd 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.

Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful or scornful on the grounds that they are brothers; rather, they should serve because those who benefit by their kindly service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these duties.

3 I f 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;

But if anyone teaches otherwise and does not assent to the sound and wholesome messages of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and the teaching which is in agreement with godliness (piety toward God),

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

He is puffed up with pride and stupefied with conceit, woefully ignorant. He has a morbid fondness for controversy and disputes and strife about words, which result in (produce) envy and jealousy, quarrels and dissension, abuse and insults and slander, and base suspicions,

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

And protracted wrangling and wearing discussion and perpetual friction among men who are corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, who imagine that godliness or righteousness is a source of profit. From such withdraw.

6 B ut godliness with contentment is great gain:

godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain.

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

For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world;

8 b ut having food and covering we shall be therewith content.

But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).

9 B ut they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing.

10 F or 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.

For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute pangs.

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

But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.

12 F ight 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.

Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and you confessed the good confession before many witnesses.

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

In the presence of God, Who preserves alive all living things, and of Christ Jesus, Who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you

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

To keep all His precepts unsullied and flawless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One),

15 w hich in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Which will be shown forth in His own proper time by the blessed, only Sovereign (Ruler), the King of kings and the Lord of lords,

16 w ho only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.

Who alone has immortality and lives in unapproachable light, Whom no man has ever seen or can see. Unto Him be honor and everlasting power and dominion. Amen (so be it).

17 C harge 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;

As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for enjoyment.

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

to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share,

19 l aying 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.

In this way laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed.

20 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;

O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted! Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination.

21 w hich some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.

by making such profession some have erred (missed the mark) as regards the faith. Grace (divine favor and blessing) be with you all! Amen (so be it).