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¹ Let them who are under the yoke of servitude, hold their masters in all honor; lest the name of God and his doctrine be reproached.² And let them who have believing masters, not treat them with disrespect, because they are their brethren; but let them be more obedient, because they are believers and beloved, in whose service they enjoy quietness. These things teach thou, and request of them.³ But if there be any one, who teacheth a different doctrine, and doth not accede to the salutary words of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, and to the doctrine of the fear of God,⁴ he is one that exalteth himself, while he knoweth nothing; and he languisheth in the search and inquiry about words, from which come envy, and contention, and railing, and evil surmising,⁵ and the disputation of men, whose minds are corrupt and destitute of the truth, and who suppose that gain is godliness. But from these stand thou aloof.

⁶ But great is our gain, which is the fear of God, with the use of our competence.⁷ For we brought nothing into the world; and we know that we can carry nothing out of it.⁸ Therefore, food and clothing satisfy us.⁹ But they who desire to become rich, fall into temptations, and into snares, and into many lusts which are foolish and hurtful, and which drown men in destruction and perdition:¹⁰ for the love of money is the root of all these evils. And there are some who, coveting it, have erred from the faith, and brought themselves into many sorrows.¹¹ But thou, O man of God, flee from these things; and follow after righteousness, and rectitude, and faith, and love, and patience, and humility.¹² 12 And contend in the good contest of faith; and lay hold of life eternal, to which thou art called, and [fn] thou hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.