1 Timothy 6 - New Living Translation (NLT)

6 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers[a] who are well loved.

False Teaching and True Riches

Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Paul’s Final Instructions

11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 15 For,

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.

May God’s grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 6:2 Greek brothers.

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1 Timothy 6 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

6 As many as are servants under a yoke, their own masters worthy of all honour let them reckon, that the name of God and the teaching may not be evil spoken of; 2 and those having believing masters, let them not slight [them], because they are brethren, but rather let them serve, because they are st...
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1 Timothy 6 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

6 Whatever servants be under yoke, deem they their lords worthy all honour, lest the name of the Lord and the doctrine be blasphemed[a]. 2 And they that have faithful lords, despise them not, for they be brethren; but more serve they, for they be faithful and loved, which be partners of beneficence...
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1 Timothy 6 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

6 Servants should respect their bosses in every way. Then people will not say wrong things about God's name and what we teach. 2 Those who work for Christian masters should not take life easy just because the person they work for is a Christian. They should work all the better because they are loved...
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1 Timothy 6 - World English Bible (WEB)

6 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 Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake o...
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1 Timothy 6 - The Voice (VOICE)

6 Tell all who labor under the yoke of slavery to treat their masters with honor and respect, whether or not their masters deserve it. This will keep God’s name and doctrine from being smeared. 2 If their masters are believers, then they should not be insolent toward them just because they are your...
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1 Timothy 6 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

6 Let all who are under the yoke as slaves consider their own masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 And let those who have believing masters not disrespect them because they are brothers, but serve them even more, since those who share in the be...
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1 Timothy 6 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be defamed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brethren; rather they must serve all the better since those ...
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1 Timothy 6 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be defamed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brethren; rather they must serve all the better since those ...
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1 Timothy 6 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

6 Let as many servants who are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honor, so that the Name of God and His doctrine are not blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them (because they are brothers). But instead serve them, because they are faithful and bel...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Slaves, Masters and Sound Teaching6 All who live as slaves, ‘under the yoke’ so to speak, should consider their own masters as worthy of all respect, so that people may not say wicked things against the name of God and the teaching. 2 Those who have masters who are also believers should not look do...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the church;[a] rather they must serve...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

6 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.(A)2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are brothers and sisters; rather, they must serve th...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

The duty of servants toward their masters. Against such as are not satisfied with the word of God. Against covetousness. A good lesson for the rich. 6 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and his precepts are not ill spoken of. ...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Living Translation (NLT)

6 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers[a] who are we...
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1 Timothy 6 - New Life Version (NLV)

Teaching About Christians Who Were Servants6 All 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. 2 Those who have Christian owners must respect their owners because they are Christia...
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1 Timothy 6 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Honor Masters6 Let as many (A)bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because th...
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