8. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.
9. Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10. For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.
11. But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.
12. Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.
13. I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14. to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ
15. – whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time.
16. He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.
17. Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.
18. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.