Serving with Honor (Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25)
1 UEB Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor. They should do this so that the name of God and the teaching might not be 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 UEB The slaves who have believing masters should not disrespect them because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them all the more. For the masters who are helped by their work are believers and are loved. Teach and declare these things. 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 UEB If anyone teaches something that does not agree with the reliable instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, BSB BSB: If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
4 UEB he is proud and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments about words that result in envy, strife, insults, 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 UEB and constant conflict between people with depraved minds. They have lost the truth and they think that godliness is a way to get more money. 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 UEB Now godliness with contentment is great gain. BSB BSB: Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 UEB For we have brought nothing into the world. Neither are we able to take out anything. BSB BSB: For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.
8 UEB Instead, let us be satisfied with food and clothing. BSB BSB: But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
9 UEB Now those who want to become wealthy fall into temptation, into a trap. They fall into many foolish and harmful passions, and into whatever else makes people sink into ruin and destruction. 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 UEB For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people who desire it have been mislead away from the faith and have pierced themselves with much grief. 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 UEB But you, man of God, flee from these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. BSB BSB: But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12 UEB Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the everlasting life to which you were called, and about which you gave 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 UEB I give you this command before God, who causes all things to live, and before Christ Jesus, who spoke what is true to Pontius Pilate: 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 UEB Keep the commandment without spot or blame until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 UEB God will reveal Christ's appearing at the right time—God, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King who reigns and the Lord who rules. 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 UEB Only he has immortality and dwells in inapproachable light. No man sees him or is able to view him. To him be honor and eternal power. 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 UEB Tell the rich in this world not to be proud, and not to hope in riches, which are uncertain. Instead, they should hope in God. He offers to us all the true riches 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 UEB Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and willing to share. BSB BSB: Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
19 UEB In that way, they will store up for themselves a good foundation for what is to come, so that they will take hold of real 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 UEB Timothy, protect what was given to you. Avoid the foolish talk and conflicting ideas of what is falsely called 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 UEB Some men proclaim these things and so they have missed the faith. May grace be with you. 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.