1. Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.
2. But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.Teach them and exhort them about these things.
3. If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness,
4. he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions,
5. and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit.
6. Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.
7. For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either.
8. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.