Epistula I ad Timotheum, 6

1. Quicumque sunt sub iugo, servi dominos suos omni honore di gnos arbitrentur, ne nomen Dei et doctrina blasphemetur.

1. Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be defamed.

2. Qui autem fideles habent dominos, non contemnant, quia fratres sunt, sed magis serviant, quia fideles sunt et dilecti, qui beneficii participes sunt. Haec doce et exhortare.

2. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brethren; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these duties.

3. Si quis aliter docet et non accedit sanis sermonibus Domini nostri Iesu Christi et ei, quae secundum pietatem est, doctrinae,

3. If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness,

4. superbus est, nihil sciens, sed languens circa quaestiones et pugnas verborum, ex quibus oriuntur invidiae, contentiones, blasphemiae, suspiciones malae,

4. he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions,

5. conflictationes hominum mente corruptorum et qui veritate privati sunt, existimantium quaestum esse pietatem.

5. and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

6. Est autem quaestus magnus pietas cum sufficientia.

6. There is great gain in godliness with contentment;

7. Nihil enim intulimus in mundum, quia nec auferre quid possumus;

7. for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world;

8. habentes autem alimenta et quibus tegamur, his contenti erimus.

8. but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

9. Nam qui volunt divites fieri, incidunt in tentationem et laqueum et desideria multa stulta et nociva, quae mergunt homines in interitum et perditionem;

9. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10. radix enim omnium malorum est cupiditas, quam quidam appetentes erraverunt a fide et inseruerunt se doloribus multis.

10. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs.

11. Tu autem, o homo Dei, haec fuge; sectare vero iustitiam, pietatem, fidem, caritatem, patientiam, mansuetudinem.

11. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

12. Certa bonum certamen fidei, apprehende vitam aeternam, ad quam vocatus es, et confessus es bonam confessionem coram multis testibus.

12. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

13. Praecipio tibi coram Deo, qui vivificat omnia, et Christo Iesu, qui testimonium reddidit sub Pontio Pilato bonam confessionem,

13. In the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,

14. ut serves mandatum sine macula irreprehensibile usque in adventum Domini nostri Iesu Christi,

14. I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;

15. quem suis temporibus ostendet beatus et solus potens, Rex regnantium et Dominus dominantium,

15. and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

16. qui solus habet immortalitatem, lucem habitans inaccessibilem, quem vidit nullus hominum nec videre potest; cui honor et imperium sempiternum. Amen.

16. who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

17. Divitibus huius saeculi praecipe non superbe sapere neque sperare in incerto divitiarum sed in Deo, qui praestat nobis omnia abunde ad fruendum,

17. As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy.

18. bene agere, divites fieri in operibus bonis, facile tribuere, communicare,

18. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous,

19. thesaurizare sibi fundamentum bonum in futurum, ut apprehendant veram vitam.

19. thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.

20. O Timothee, depositum custodi, devitans profanas vocum novitates et oppositiones falsi nominis scientiae,

20. O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge,

21. quam quidam profitentes circa fidem aberraverunt. Gratia vobiscum.

21. for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you.