The First to Timothy
6 Let as many as are slaves under a yoke keep on considering their owners worthy of full honor,+ that the name of God and the teaching may never be spoken of injuriously.+ 2 Moreover, let those having believing owners+ not look down on them,+ because they are brothers.+ On the contrary, let them the more readily be slaves, because those receiving the benefit of their good service* are believers and beloved.
Keep on teaching these things+ and giving these exhortations. 3 If any man teaches other doctrine+ and does not assent to healthful+ words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor to the teaching that accords with godly devotion,*+ 4 he is puffed up [with pride],+ not understanding anything,+ but being mentally+ diseased over questionings and debates about words.+ From these things spring envy,+ strife, abusive+ speeches, wicked suspicions, 5 violent disputes about trifles* on the part of men corrupted in mind+ and despoiled of the truth,+ thinking that godly devotion is a means of gain.+ 6 To be sure, it is a means of great gain,+ [this] godly devotion*+ along with self-sufficiency.*+ 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out.+ 8 So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.+
9 However, those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation+ and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires,+ which plunge men into destruction and ruin.+ 10 For the love+ of money is a root+ of all sorts of injurious things,*+ and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.+
11 However, you, O man of God, flee from these things.+ But pursue righteousness, godly devotion,* faith, love, endurance, mildness of temper.+ 12 Fight the fine fight of the faith,*+ get a firm hold on the everlasting life for which you were called and you offered the fine public declaration+ in front of many witnesses.
13 In the sight of God, who preserves all things alive,* and of Christ Jesus,* who as a witness+ made the fine public declaration+ before Pontius Pilate,+ I give you orders+ 14 that you observe the commandment in a spotless and irreprehensible way until the manifestation+ of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 This [manifestation] the happy and only Potentate+ will show in its* own appointed times,+ [he] the King+ of those who rule as kings and Lord+ of those who rule as lords, 16 the one alone having immortality,*+ who dwells in unapproachable light,+ whom not one of men has seen or can see.+ To him be honor+ and might everlasting. Amen.
17 Give orders to those who are rich+ in the present system of things* not to be high-minded,*+ and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches,+ but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment;+ 18 to work at good,+ to be rich in fine works,+ to be liberal, ready to share,+ 19 safely treasuring up+ for themselves a fine foundation+ for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life.+
20 O Timothy, guard what is laid up in trust with you,+ turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called “knowledge.”+ 21 For making a show of such [knowledge] some have deviated from the faith.+
May the undeserved kindness be with YOU people.