1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, 5 constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 13 I command you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor can see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
17 Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen.
1 凡负轭作奴仆的, 应当看自己的主人是配受十分的敬重, 免得 神的名和道理被人亵渎。
2 奴仆有信主的主人, 不可因为他们是弟兄而轻看他们; 倒要加意服事他们, 因为这些受到服事的益处的, 是信主蒙爱的人。你要把这些事教导人, 劝勉人。
3 如果有人传别的教义, 不接受我们的主耶稣基督纯正的话语, 和那敬虔的道理,
4 他是自高自大, 一无所知, 反而专好问难争辩, 由此产生妒忌、纷争、毁谤、恶意的猜疑,
5 就和那些心术败坏, 丧失真理的人不断地争竞。他们视敬虔为得利的门路。
6 其实敬虔而又知足, 就是得大利的途径,
7 因为我们没有带什么到世上来, 也不能带什么去。
8 只要有衣有食, 就应当知足。
9 但那些想要发财的人, 就落在试探中和陷阱里; 又落在许多无知而有害的私欲里, 使人沉沦在败坏和灭亡中;
10 因为贪财是万恶之根。有人贪爱钱财, 就被引诱离开真道, 用许多痛苦把自己刺透了。
11 但你这属 神的人啊, 应该逃避这些事, 要追求公义、敬虔、信心、爱心、忍耐和温柔。
12 要为信仰打那美好的仗, 持定永生; 你是为这永生而蒙召的, 又在许多的证人面前承认过美好的信仰。
13 我在赐生命给万物的 神面前, 并那在本丢.彼拉多面前见证过美好的信仰的基督耶稣面前嘱咐你,
14 你当毫无玷污, 无可指摘地持守这命令, 直到我们主耶稣基督的显现。
15 到了适当的时候, 那可称颂的、独一的全能者, 万王之王, 万主之主, 必把基督的显现表明出来。
16 只有他永远不死, 住在不能接近的光里, 没有人见过他, 人也不能看见他。愿尊荣和永远的权能都归给他。阿们。
17 你要嘱咐那些今世富有的人, 叫他们不要心高气傲, 也不要寄望在浮动的财富上, 却要仰望那厚赐百物给我们享用的 神。
18 又要嘱咐他们行善, 在善事上富足, 慷慨好施。
19 这样, 就为自己在来世积聚财富, 作美好的基础, 好叫他们能够得着那真正的生命。
20 提摩太啊, 你要保守所交托你的, 避免世俗的空谈和冒称是知识的那种反调;
21 有些人自称有这知识, 就偏离了真道。愿恩惠与你们同在。