6 All who are ·slaves [^Lslaves under a yoke] should show full ·respect [honor] to their masters so no one will ·speak against [revile; blaspheme] God’s name and ·our teaching [or Christian doctrine; ^Lthe teaching]. ² The slaves whose masters are believers should not ·show their masters any less respect [disrespect them; or take advantage of them] because they are believers. They should serve their masters even better, because they are helping believers ·they love [or loved by God; ^Lwho are beloved].

You must teach and ·preach [encourage/exhort them about] these things.

False Teaching and True Riches

³ Anyone who has a different teaching and does not agree with the ·true teaching [sound/healthy words] of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that ·shows the true way to serve God [promotes piety/godliness]— ⁴ that person is ·full of pride [arrogant; conceited] and understands nothing, but ·is sick with a love for [has an unhealthy interest in] ·arguing [controversies; debate] and ·fighting about [quarrels over] words. This brings ·jealousy [envy], ·fighting [strife; division], ·speaking against others [slander; blasphemy], evil ·mistrust [suspicions], ⁵ and constant ·quarrels [bickering; disputes] from those who have ·evil [depraved; corrupted] minds and have ·lost [been deprived of] the truth. They think that ·serving God [godliness; piety] is a way to ·get rich [make a profit].

⁶ [^LBut] ·Serving God [Godliness; Piety] does ·make us very rich [bring great profit], ·if we are satisfied with what we have [when accompanied by contentment]. ⁷ [^LFor] We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. ⁸ But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. ⁹ Those who want to become rich ·bring temptation to themselves [^Lfall into temptation] and are caught in a trap. They ·want [desire] many foolish and harmful things that ·ruin and destroy people [^Lplunge people into ruin and destruction]. ¹⁰ [^LFor] The love of money ·causes [^Lis the root of] all kinds of evil. Some people have ·left [strayed/wandered from] the faith, because they wanted ·to get more money [^Lit], ·but they have caused themselves much sorrow [^Land have pierced themselves with many pains].

Some Things to Remember

¹¹ But you, man of God, ·run away from [flee] all those things. Instead, chase after [pursue] ·a right relationship with God [righteousness], a godly life [godliness; piety], faith, love, ·patience [perseverance; endurance], and gentleness. ¹² ·Fight the good fight [or Run the good race] of faith, grabbing hold of ·the life that continues forever [eternal life]. You were called to have that life when you confessed the good confession before many witnesses [1:18]. ¹³ ·In the sight of [In the presence of; ^LBefore] God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, I ·give you a command [exhort/encourage/charge you]. Christ Jesus made the good confession when he stood before Pontius Pilate [Matt. 27:11–26; Mark 15:1–15; Luke 23:1–24; John 18:28—19:16]. ¹⁴ ·Do what you were commanded to do [Keep/Obey the command] without ·wrong [spot; stain] or blame until our Lord Jesus Christ ·comes again [returns; appears]. ¹⁵ God will ·make that happen [^Lreveal it] at ·the right [the appointed; his own] time. He is the blessed and only ·Ruler [Sovereign], the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. ¹⁶ He is the only One who ·never dies [has immortality]. He lives in light ·so bright no one can go near it [unapproachable]. No one has ever seen God, or can see him. May honor and power belong to God forever. Amen.

¹⁷ Command those who are rich ·with things of this world [^Lin the present age] not to be ·proud [arrogant; haughty]. Tell them to hope in God, not in their uncertain riches. God richly gives us everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ Tell ·the rich people [^Lthem] to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. ¹⁹ By doing that, they will be ·saving [storing up] a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future. Then they will be able to ·have [take hold of] the life that is true life.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what God has ·trusted to [entrusted/deposited with] you. Stay away from foolish, ·useless [irreverent; godless] talk and from the ·arguments [absurdities; contradictions] of what is falsely called “knowledge.” ²¹ By ·saying they have that “knowledge” [^Lclaiming/professing it], some have ·missed [strayed/lost their way from] the true faith.

Grace be with you.