1 L et as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his 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 rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. 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 teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome 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 proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes 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 P erverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

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

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

8 A nd having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

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

9 B ut 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.

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 the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and 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 faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before 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 give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a 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 this commandment without spot, unrebukable, 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 his times he shall shew, 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 the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. 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 world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living 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, 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 eternal life.

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, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science 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 thee. Amen.

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).