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who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching may not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters could not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. These are the things you should teach and encourage.
3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words, from which comes envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreements between men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you are called when you confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without fault or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in His own time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality and who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honour and everlasting power. Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will store up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Turn away from the godless, empty chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have deviated from the faith.
Grace be with you.