| New Living Translation | NET Bible |
| 1All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. | 1Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited. |
| 2If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. False Teaching and True Riches Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. | 2But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. Summary of Timothy's Duties Teach them and exhort them about these things. |
| 3Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. | 3If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, |
| 4Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. | 4he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, |
| 5These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. | 5and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit. |
| 6Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. | 6Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. |
| 7After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. | 7For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. |
| 8So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. | 8But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. |
| 9But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. | 9Those 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. |
| 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Paul’s Final Instructions | 10For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains. |
| 11But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. | 11But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. |
| 12Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. | 12Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. |
| 13And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, | 13I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate, |
| 14that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. | 14to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ |
| 15For, At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. | 15 --whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the king of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. |
| 16He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen. | 16He 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. |
| 17Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. | 17Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. |
| 18Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. | 18Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. |
| 19By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. | 19In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life. |
| 20Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. | 20O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called "knowledge." |
| 21Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God’s grace be with you all. | 21By professing it, some have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you all. |
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