1 Timothy 6

1 All slaves who believe must give complete respect to their own masters. In this way no one will speak evil of God’s name and what we teach.

2 Slaves whose masters also believe should respect their masters even though their masters are also believers. As a result, believers who are slaves should serve their masters even better because those who receive the benefit of their work are believers whom they love.
Teach and encourage people to do these things.

Guidelines for Living a Godly Life

3 Whoever teaches false doctrine and doesn’t agree with the accurate words of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teachings4 is a conceited person. He shows that he doesn’t understand anything. Rather, he has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words. This produces jealousy, rivalry, cursing, suspicion,

5 and conflict between people whose corrupt minds have been robbed of the truth. They think that a godly life is a way to make a profit.
6 A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have.7 We didn’t bring anything into the world, and we can’t take anything out of it.

8 As long as we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied.
9 But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin.

10 Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.
11 But you, man of God, must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

12 Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses.
13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony in front of Pontius Pilate,14 I insist that, until our Lord Jesus Christ appears, you obey this command completely. Then you cannot be blamed for doing anything wrong.15 At the right time God will make this known. God is the blessed and only ruler. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

16 He is the only one who cannot die. He lives in light that no one can come near. No one has seen him, nor can they see him. Honor and power belong to him forever! Amen.
17 Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.18 Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share.

19 By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves which is a good foundation for the future. In this way they take hold of what life really is.
20 Timothy, guard the Good News which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose the Christian faith.

21 Although some claim to have knowledge, they have abandoned the faith.
God’s good willt be with all of you.

2 Timothy 1

Greeting

1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will—a will that contains Christ Jesus’ promise of life.2 To Timothy, my dear child.Good will,t mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

Paul’s Prayer for Timothy

3 I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day when I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did.4 I remember your tears and want to see you so that I can be filled with happiness.

5 I’m reminded of how sincere your faith is. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m convinced that it also lives in you.

Paul’s Advice for Timothy

6 You received a gift from God when I placed my hands on you to ordain you. Now I’m reminding you to fan that gift into flames.7 God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment.8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord or be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God’s power, join me in suffering for the sake of the Good News.9 God saved us and called us to be holy, not because of what we had done, but because of his own plan and kindness.t Before the world began, God planned that Christ Jesus would show us God’s kindness.10 Now with the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus, he has revealed it. Christ has destroyed death, and through the Good News he has brought eternal life into full view.

11 I was appointed to be an apostle and teacher and to spread this Good News.
12 For this reason I suffer as I do. However, I’m not ashamed. I know whom I trust. I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he had entrusted to me until that day.13 With faith and love for Christ Jesus, consider what you heard me say to be the pattern of accurate teachings.

14 With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, protect the Good News that has been entrusted to you.

News About Paul’s Coworkers

15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.16 May the Lord be merciful to the family of Onesiphorus. He often took care of my needs and wasn’t ashamed that I was a prisoner.17 When he arrived in Rome, he searched hard for me and found me.

18 May the Lord grant that Onesiphorus finds mercy when that day comes. You know very well that he did everything possible to help me in Ephesus.

2 Timothy 2

Remain Focused on Jesus

1 My child, find your source of strength in the kindnesst of Christ Jesus.

2 You’ve heard my message, and it’s been confirmed by many witnesses. Entrust this message to faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others.
3 Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4 Whoever serves in the military doesn’t get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer.5 Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules.6 A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops.

7 Understand what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
8 Always think about Jesus Christ. He was brought back to life and is a descendant of David. This is the Good News that I tell others.9 I’m suffering disgrace for spreading this Good News. I have even been put into prison like a criminal. However, God’s word is not imprisoned.10 For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive salvation from Christ Jesus with glory that lasts forever.

11 This is a statement that can be trusted:
If we have died with him, we will live with him.12 If we endure, we will rule with him.If we disown him, he will disown us.13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithfulbecause he cannot be untrue to himself.14 Remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn’t do any good but only destroys those who are listening.15 Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.16 Avoid pointless discussions. People who pay attention to these pointless discussions will become more ungodly,17 and what they say will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.

18 They have abandoned the truth. They are destroying the faith of others by saying that people who have died have already come back to life.
19 In spite of all that, God’s people have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong.”20 In a large house there are not only objects made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some objects are honored when they are used; others aren’t.

21 Those who stop associating with dishonorable people will be honored. They will be set apart for the master’s use, prepared to do good things.
22 Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels.24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong.25 He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth.

26 Then they might come back to their senses and God will free them from the devil’s snare so that they can do his will.