1 Let them who are under the yoke of servitude, hold their masters in all honor; lest the name of God and his doctrine be reproached.
2 And let them who have believing masters, not treat them with disrespect, because they are their brethren; but let them be more obedient, because they are believers and beloved, in whose service they enjoy quietness. These things teach thou, and request of them.
3 But if there be any one, who teacheth a different doctrine, and doth not accede to the salutary words of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, and to the doctrine of the fear of God,
4 he is one that exalteth himself, while he knoweth nothing; and he languisheth in the search and inquiry about words, from which come envy, and contention, and railing, and evil surmising,
5 and the disputation of men, whose minds are corrupt and destitute of the truth, and who suppose that gain is godliness. But from these stand thou aloof.
6 But great is our gain, which is the fear of God, with the use of our competence.
7 For we brought nothing into the world; and we know that we can carry nothing out of it.
8 Therefore, food and clothing satisfy us.
9 But they who desire to become rich, fall into temptations, and into snares, and into many lusts which are foolish and hurtful, and which drown men in destruction and perdition:
10 for the love of money is the root of all these evils. And there are some who, coveting it, have erred from the faith, and brought themselves into many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee from these things; and follow after righteousness, and rectitude, and faith, and love, and patience, and humility.
12 And contend in the good contest of faith; and lay hold of life eternal, to which thou art called, and [of which] thou hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.
13 I charge thee, before God, who quickeneth all, and [before] Jesus the Messiah who attested a good testimony before Pontius Pilate,
14 that thou keep the injunction, without stain, and without blemish, until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus the Messiah;
15 which God will, in due time make visible; [God] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords;
16 who only is incorruptible, and dwelleth in light to which no one can approach; and whom no man hath seen, or even can see: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
17 Charge the rich of this world, that they be not uplifted in their minds; and that they confide not in riches, in which is no security; but in the living God, who giveth us all things abundantly for our comfort:
18 and that they do good works, and be rich in well-doings; and be ready to give and to communicate:
19 and that they lay up for themselves a good foundation for that which is future; that they may take hold of real life.
20 O Timothy, be careful of that which is committed to thee; and shun vain words, and the oppositions of false science:
21 for they who profess it, have erred from the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
End of the first Epistle to Timothy; which was written from Laodicea.
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