Psalm 95

Not Peace but Division^(A)

⁴⁹ “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism^(B) to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!^{(C) 51} Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. ⁵² From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”^(D)

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

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.^{(D) 3} If anyone teaches otherwise^(E) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(F) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(G) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(H) 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^(I) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

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