6 Let as many as are [a]servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that [b]partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to [c]sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but [d]doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain: 7 for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; 8 but having food and covering [e]we shall be therewith content. 9 But 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. 10 For the love of money is a root of all [f]kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, [g]patience, meekness. 12 Fight 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. 13 I charge thee in the sight of God, who [h]giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; 14 that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 which in [i]its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of [j]kings, and Lord of [k]lords; 16 who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this present [l]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; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, [m]willing to communicate; 19 laying 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.
20 O Timothy, guard [n]that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; 21 which some professing have [o]erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 6:1 Greek bondservants.
- 1 Timothy 6:2 Or, lay hold of
- 1 Timothy 6:3 Greek healthful.
- 1 Timothy 6:4 Greek sick.
- 1 Timothy 6:8 Or, in these we shall have enough
- 1 Timothy 6:10 Greek evils.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 Or, stedfastness
- 1 Timothy 6:13 Or, preserveth all things alive
- 1 Timothy 6:15 Or, his
- 1 Timothy 6:15 Greek them that reign as kings.
- 1 Timothy 6:15 Greek them that rule as lords.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 Or, age
- 1 Timothy 6:18 Or, ready to sympathize
- 1 Timothy 6:20 Greek the deposit.
- 1 Timothy 6:21 Greek missed the mark.