¹⁷ The elders^(A) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(B) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a](C) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^{[b](D) 19} Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^(E) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^{(F) 20} But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove^(G) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.^{(H) 21} I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus^(I) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

²² Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,^(J) and do not share in the sins of others.^(K) Keep yourself pure.^(L)

²³ Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine^(M) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴ The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. ²⁵ In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,^(N) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.^{(O) 2} Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.^(P) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare^[c] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.^{(Q) 3} If anyone teaches otherwise^(R) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(S) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(T) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(U) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth^(V) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment^(W) is great gain.^{(X) 7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.^{(Y) 8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.^{(Z) 9} Those who want to get rich^(AA) fall into temptation and a trap^(AB) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money^(AC) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith^(AD) and pierced themselves with many griefs.^(AE)