1 A ll you Christians who are servants must respect your owners and work hard for them. Do not let the name of God and our teaching be spoken against because of poor work.

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 Christian owners must respect their owners because they are Christian brothers. They should work hard for them because much-loved Christian brothers are being helped by their work. Teach and preach these things. Live Like God Wants You to Live

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 S omeone may teach something else. He may not agree with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. He may not teach you to live God-like lives.

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 S uch a person is full of pride and knows nothing. He wastes time on questions and argues about things that are not important. This makes those he teaches jealous and they want to fight. They talk bad and have bad ideas about others.

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

5 M en who are not able to use their minds in the right way because of sin argue all the time. They do not have the truth. They think religion is a way to get much for themselves.

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 A God-like life gives us much when we are happy for what we have.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 W e came into this world with nothing. For sure, when we die, we will take nothing with us.

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

8 I f we have food and clothing, let us be happy.

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

9 B ut men who want lots of money are tempted. They are trapped into doing all kinds of foolish things and things which hurt them. These things drag them into sin and will destroy them.

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 T he love of money is the beginning of all kinds of sin. Some people have turned from the faith because of their love for money. They have made much pain for themselves because of this. Fight the Good Fight of Faith

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 you, man of God, turn away from all these sinful things. Work at being right with God. Live a God-like life. Have faith and love. Be willing to wait. Have a kind heart.

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 life that lasts forever. You were chosen to receive it. You have spoken well about this life in front of many people.

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 tell you this before God Who gives life to all people and before Jesus Christ Who spoke well in front of 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 Y ou must do all our Lord Jesus Christ said so no one can speak against you. Do this until He comes again.

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

15 A t the right time, we will be shown that God is the One Who has all power. He is 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 H e can never die. He lives in a light so bright that no man can go near Him. No man has ever seen God or can see Him. Honor and power belong to Him forever. Let it be so. Paul’s Last Words to Timothy

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 T ell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money. Money cannot be trusted. They should put their trust in God. He gives us all we need for our happiness.

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 T ell them to do good and be rich in good works. They should give much to those in need and be ready to share.

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

19 T hen they will be gathering together riches for themselves. These good things are what they will build on for the future. Then they will have the only true life!

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

20 T imothy, keep safe what God has trusted you with. Turn away from foolish talk. Do not argue with those who think they know so much. They know less than they think they do.

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

21 S ome people have gone after much learning. It has proved to be false and they have turned away from the faith. May you have God’s loving-favor.

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