Serving with Honor (Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25)
1 AKJV Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. BSB BSB: All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
2 AKJV And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. BSB BSB: Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.
Reject False Doctrines 3 AKJV If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; BSB BSB: If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
4 AKJV He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, BSB BSB: he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
5 AKJV Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself. BSB BSB: and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.
Godliness with Contentment 6 AKJV But godliness with contentment is great gain. BSB BSB: Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 AKJV For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. BSB BSB: For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.
8 AKJV And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. BSB BSB: But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
9 AKJV But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. BSB BSB: Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10 AKJV For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. BSB BSB: For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Fight the Good Fight 11 AKJV But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. BSB BSB: But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12 AKJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. BSB BSB: Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.
13 AKJV I give you charge in the sight of God, who vivifies all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; BSB BSB: I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
14 AKJV That you keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: BSB BSB: Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 AKJV Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; BSB BSB: which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.
16 AKJV Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach to; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. BSB BSB: He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
A Charge to the Rich (Proverbs 23:1–5; James 5:1–6)
17 AKJV Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; BSB BSB: Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
18 AKJV That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; BSB BSB: Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
19 AKJV Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. BSB BSB: treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Guard the Faith 20 AKJV O Timothy, keep that which is committed to your trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: BSB BSB: O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
21 AKJV Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. BSB BSB: which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.