1 A ll who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.

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

2 T hose who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

3 I f anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,

If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,

4 h e is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,

5 a nd constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

6 B ut godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 F or we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.

8 I f we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

9 B ut those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

10 F or the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 B ut flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

12 F ight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,

14 t hat you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;

15 w hich He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 w ho alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

17 I nstruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

18 I nstruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

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

19 s toring up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—

Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge;

21 w hich some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.