Serving with Honor (Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25)
1 DBY Let as many bondmen as are under yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the teaching 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 DBY And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren; but let them the rather serve them with subjection, because they are faithful and beloved, who profit by the good and ready service rendered . 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 DBY If any one teach differently, and do not accede to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching which is according to piety, BSB BSB: If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
4 DBY he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and disputes of words, out of which arise envy, strife, injurious words, evil suspicions, 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 DBY constant quarrellings of men corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth, holding gain to be the end of piety. 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 DBY But piety with contentment is great gain. BSB BSB: Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 DBY For we have brought nothing into the world: it is manifest that neither can we carry anything out. BSB BSB: For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.
8 DBY But having sustenance and covering, we will be content with these. BSB BSB: But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
9 DBY But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many unwise and hurtful lusts, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. 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 DBY For the love of money is the root of every evil; which some having aspired after, have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves 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 DBY But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness of spirit. BSB BSB: But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12 DBY Strive earnestly in the good conflict of faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which thou hast been called, and hast confessed the good confession 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 DBY I enjoin thee before God who preserves all things in life, and Christ Jesus who witnessed before Pontius Pilate the 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 DBY that thou keep the commandment spotless, irreproachable, 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 DBY which in its own time the blessed and only Ruler shall shew, the King of those that reign, and Lord of those that exercise lordship; 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 DBY who only has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor is able to see; to whom be honour and eternal might. 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 DBY Enjoin on those rich in the present age not to be high-minded, nor to trust on the uncertainty of riches; but in the God who affords us all things richly for our enjoyment; 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 DBY to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal in distributing, disposed to communicate of their substance , BSB BSB: Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
19 DBY laying by for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of what is really 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 DBY O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge, BSB BSB: O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
21 DBY of which some having made profession, have missed the faith. Grace be with thee. 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.