Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are (A)brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who [a]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. (B)Teach and [b]preach these principles.

If anyone (C)advocates a different doctrine and does not [c]agree with (D)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine (E)conforming to godliness, he is (F)conceited and understands nothing; but he [d]has a sick craving for (G)controversial questions and (H)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between (I)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who (J)suppose that [e]godliness is a means of gain.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or devote themselves to kindness
  2. 1 Timothy 6:2 Lit exhort, urge
  3. 1 Timothy 6:3 Lit come to; or come with
  4. 1 Timothy 6:4 Lit is sick about
  5. 1 Timothy 6:5 Or religion

Moreover, those who have believing masters should be respectful to them, because they are fellow believers.[a] In fact, they must serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dear to them. These are the things you must teach and exhort.

Rules for Godly Living

If anyone teaches false doctrine and refuses to agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[b] and godly teaching, he is a conceited person and does not understand anything. He has an unhealthy craving for arguments and debates. This produces jealousy, rivalry, slander, evil suspicions, and incessant conflict between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth. They think that godliness is a way to make a profit.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:2 Lit. brothers
  2. 1 Timothy 6:3 Or Christ
  3. 1 Timothy 6:5 Other mss. read make a profit. Stay away from such people.