(1 Timothy) First Letter from Small Man to He Gives Honor 6

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SLAVES

1Any sacred family members who are slaves should treat their earthly masters with respect. In this way Creator will not be given a bad reputation, and no one will speak against him or what we teach.

2Those who are slaves to masters who are sacred family members should not for that reason look down on them. Instead, they should serve them all the more, for the ones who benefit from their service are also much-loved sacred family members. Teach and urge others to walk in these ways.

A WARNING ABOUT TROUBLEMAKERS

3There are some who teach things that are not in agreement with the good words spoken by our Honored Chief, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One, and with the teaching that keeps us walking in a sacred way.

4Teachers like this think they know it all, but they really understand nothing. There is a sickness in the way they think. They argue over the meaning of words, which takes people down a path of envy, fighting, name-calling, and evil mistrust of each other.

5They keep stirring up trouble between people whose minds have wandered away from the truth. They even think that walking in the ways of the Great Spirit is a path to getting more and more possessions.

6It is true that following the ways of the Great Spirit will lead to great possessions, but only when people are at peace with what they have.

7For we came into this world with nothing and can take nothing with us when we leave it.

8So, as long as we have food to eat and a roof over our heads, we should be at peace with what we have.

A WARNING TO THOSE WHO LONG TO BE RICH

9Those who long for more and more possessions stumble into temptation and are trapped by many foolish desires that drag them down and take them to a bad end.

10For the love of possessions is the root of many evil, thorny branches. Some, who have made possessions their aim in life, have walked away from the good road and have been pierced by thorns that bring them much pain and sorrow.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF TRUSTING

11But you, O man who follows the Great Spirit, run away from these things and pursue doing what is right, living in a sacred way, trusting, loving, never giving up, and walking softly and in a humble manner.

12Fight the good fight of trusting Creator . Get a firm hold on the life of the world to come that never fades away, full of beauty and harmony. The Great Spirit called you to this life when you said yes to him and made it known before many people that you had chosen to walk the good road with Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One .

13As you stand before the Great Spirit who gives life to all things, and before Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One, who told the truth in a good way when he stood before Spear of the Great Waters (Pilate) , I call on you

14to follow through with this way of life to which he has called you. Keep walking a path that no one can find fault with until the day comes when our Honored Chief, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One, will appear.

THE GRAND CHIEF ABOVE ALL CHIEFS

15That day will be revealed when the time is right by the Blessed One who alone rules above all others, the Grand Chief Above All Chiefs.

16He is the only one over whom death has no power. His life shines so bright no one can even come near him, and no human eye has ever been able to fully see him. To him belongs all honor and power to the time beyond the end of all days. Aho! May it be so!

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MANY POSSESSIONS

17Instruct the ones who have many possessions in this present world not to see themselves as better than others. They must not put their hope in their many possessions, which cannot be depended on, but in the Great Spirit, who, from his great possessions, provides all we need to enjoy life.

18Instruct them to walk in a good way, to possess many good deeds, and to be willing and ready to share with those in need .

19In this way, they will be storing up and preparing themselves for the life of the world to come, the true life of beauty and harmony that never grows old or fades away .[#6:19 Matthew 6:19-21]

CLOSING WORDS

20O He Gives Honor (Timothy) , keep a close watch over the things that you have been entrusted with. Turn away from foolish and empty talk and arguments about what is falsely called knowledge.

21For there are some who, having held this “knowledge” to be true, have strayed away from the good road in which we trust.

May the gift of Creator’s great kindness walk with you on the road of life.

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Published by: Intervarsity Press