1 Timothy

6 Let as many as are servants under a yoke be counting their own masters worthy of all honour, Lest the name of God and the teaching be defamed.

2 They however that have believing masters let them not despise them because they are brethren, But the more be doing them service because believing and beloved are they who from the good workmanship receive advantage. These things be teaching and exhorting:—

3 If anyone doth otherwise teach And doth not adhere to healthful discourses—those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching that is according to godliness

4 He is beclouded, knowing nothing rightly, But is diseased about questionings and word-battles—Out of which spring envy, strife, defamations, wicked surmisings,

5 incessant quarrellings of men wholly corrupt in their mind and bereft of the truth,—Supposing godliness to be a means of gain!

6 Now it is a great means of gain—godliness with a sufficiency of one’s own;

7 For nothing brought we into the world, Neither to take anything out are we able;—

8 And having sustenance and covering we shall be content;

9 But they who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful covetings, The which sink men into ruin and destruction,—

10 For a root of all the vices is the love of money, Which some being eager for have been seduced from the faith and have pierced themselves about with many pangs.

11 But thou O man of God! From these things flee! And pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, meekness;

12 Be contesting the noble contest of the faith,—Lay hold of the age-abiding life—Unto which thou wast called And didst make the noble confession before many witnesses.

13 I charge thee before God who engendereth life in all things, And Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the noble confession

14 That thou keep the commandment without spot, free from reproach, Until the forthshining of our Lord Jesus Christ—

15 Which in its own fit times the happy and only Potentate will shew—The King of them that reign And Lord of them that wield lordship,—

16 Who alone hath immortality, Dwelling in light unapproachable,—Whom no man hath seen—nor can see: Unto whom be honour and might age-abiding. Amen.

17 Upon them who are rich in the present age lay thou charge—Not to be high-minded Nor to have set their hope on riches’ uncertainty,—But on God who offereth us all things richly for enjoying,

18 To be doing good, To be rich in noble works, To be generous in giving, Ready for fellowship,—

19 Treasuring up for themselves a good foundation for the future, That they may lay hold on the life [which is life] indeed.

20 O Timothy! that which hath been entrusted do thou guard, Avoiding the profane pratings and oppositions of falsely named knowledge,—

21 Which some professing concerning the faith have missed the mark! Favour be with you.