LET as many slaves as are under the yoke account their own masters
worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the doctrine be not
blasphemed. (2)But they who have believing masters, let them not think
less of them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather,
because they are faithful and beloved, who have equally partaken of the
benefit. These things teach and enjoin. (3)If any man teach another
doctrine, and attend not to the sound words, which are those of Jesus
Christ our Lord, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
(4)he is conceited, knowing nothing, but delirious with disputes and
quarrels about words, from whence come wrath, contentions, evil
speakings, wrong suspicions, (5)perverse wranglings of men corrupt in
mind, and destitute of truth, who think to make gain of godliness;
depart from such men. (6)But godliness with contentment is great gain.
(7)For that we brought nothing into the world is evident, neither can
we carry any thing out of it. (8)Having then food and raiment, let us
be therewith content. (9)For they who will be rich fall into temptation
and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful passions, which sink men
in the abyss of destruction and perdition. (10)For the love of money is
the root of all evils, which some coveting, have wandered away from the
faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(11)But thou, O man of God, flee from these things; but pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (12)Strain
every nerve in the noble conflict of faith, lay fast hold on eternal
life, unto which also thou hast been called, and hast confessed the
good confession before many witnesses.
(13)I conjure thee in the presence of God, who giveth life to all
things, and of Christ Jesus, who witnessed that noble confession before
Pontius Pilate; (14)that thou observe this injunction spotless,
irreproachable, unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (15)which
in his own appointed times he will shew forth, who is the blessed and
only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (16)who alone
possesseth immortality, inhabiting light inaccessible, whom no man hath
seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and glory eternal. Amen.
(17)Charge the rich in this world not to be lifted up with pride, nor
to trust on the stability of wealth, but on the living God, who giveth
us richly all things for our enjoyment; (18)to do good, to be rich in
generous actions, to take pleasure in liberality, ready to distribute;
(19)laying up treasure for themselves a noble foundation against the
time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
(20)O Timothy, guard the sacred deposit, avoiding profane trifling
talk, and antitheses of misnamed science: (21)which some affecting have
erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee.--Amen.
The first epistle was written from Laodicea, which is the metropolis of
Phrygia Pacatiana.