Study Desk

If anyone ^(C1)advocates a different doctrine and does not ^(F1)agree with ^(C2)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine ^(C3)conforming to godliness,

he is ^(C1)conceited and understands nothing; but he ^(F1)has a sick craving for ^(C2)controversial questions and ^(C3)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

and constant friction between ^(C1)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who ^(C2)suppose that ^(F1)godliness is a means of gain.

^(C1)But godliness actually is a means of ^(C2)great gain when accompanied by ^(C3)contentment.

For ^(C1)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either.

If we ^(C1)have food and ^(F1)covering, with these we shall be content.

^(C1)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and ^(C2)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

For ^(C1)the love of money is a root of all ^(F1)sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have ^(C2)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many ^(F2)griefs.

But ^(C1)flee from these things, you ^(C2)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, ^(C3)faith, ^(C4)love, ^(F1)perseverance, and gentleness.

^(C1)Fight the good fight of ^(C2)faith; ^(C3)take hold of the eternal life ^(C4)to which you were called, and for which you made the good ^(C5)confession in the presence of ^(C6)many witnesses.

^(C1)I direct you in the presence of God, who ^(F1)gives life to all things, and of ^(C2)Christ Jesus, who testified the ^(C3)good confession ^(C4)before Pontius Pilate,

that you keep the commandment without ^(F1)fault or reproach until the ^(C1)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which He will ^(F1)bring about at ^(C1)the proper time—He who is ^(C2)the blessed and ^(C3)only Sovereign, ^(C4)the King of ^(F2)kings and ^(C5)Lord of ^(F3)lords,

^(C1)who alone possesses immortality and ^(C2)dwells in unapproachable light, ^(C3)whom ^(F1)no one has seen or can see. ^(C1)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Instruct those who are rich in ^(C1)this present world ^(C2)not to be conceited or to ^(C3)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, ^(C4)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in ^(C1)good ^(F1)works, ^(C2)to be generous and ready to share,

^(C1)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may ^(C2)take hold of that which is truly life.