The Message Bible MSG
New American Standard Bible NAS
1 Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don't blame God and our teaching for his behavior.
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All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.
2 Slaves with Christian masters all the more so - their masters are really their beloved brothers!
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Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.
3 If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction,
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If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
4 tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors.
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he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
5 Eventually there's an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
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and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
6 A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.
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But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
7 Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless,
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For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
8 if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.
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If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
9 But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time.
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But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
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For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life - a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy.
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But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
12 Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.
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Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I'm charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn't give an inch:
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I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 Keep this command to the letter, and don't slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way.
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that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 He'll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God.
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which He will bring about at the proper time -He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 He's the only one death can't touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He's never been seen by human eyes - human eyes can't take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes.
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who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
17 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage -
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Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous.
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Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.
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storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
20 And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts.
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O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge "-
21 People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. Overwhelming grace keep you!
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which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. All rights reserved.