6:1 Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent¹ the name of God and Christian teaching² from being discredited.³ 6:2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect⁴ because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.⁵

Teach them and exhort them about these things.⁶ 6:3 If someone spreads false teachings⁷ and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has a sick interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, 6:5 and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit. 6:6 Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. 6:7 For we have brought nothing into this world and so⁸ we cannot take a single thing out either. 6:8 But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.⁹ 6:9 Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 6:10 For the love of money is the root¹⁰ of all evils.¹¹ Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

6:11 But you, as a person dedicated to God,¹² keep away from all that.¹³ Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. 6:12 Compete well¹⁴ for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for¹⁵ in the presence of many witnesses. 6:13 I charge you¹⁶ before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession¹⁷ before Pontius Pilate, 6:14 to keep this command¹⁸ without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 6:15 that the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. 6:16 He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

6:17 Command those who are rich in this world’s goods¹⁹ not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, that are uncertain,²⁰ but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. 6:18 Tell them to do good,²¹ to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.²² 6:19 In this way they will save up²³ a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation²⁴ for the future and so lay hold of²⁵ what is truly life.

6:20 O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid²⁶ the profane chatter and absurdities²⁷ of so-called “knowledge.”²⁸ 6:21 By professing it, some have strayed from the faith.²⁹ Grace be with you all.³⁰