Letters to the Churches

for the Writing saith, `An ox treading out thou shalt not muzzle,' and `Worthy is the workman of his reward.'

Against an elder an accusation receive not, except upon two or three witnesses.

Those sinning, reprove before all, that the others also may have fear;

I testify fully, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the choice messengers, that these things thou mayest keep, without forejudging, doing nothing by partiality.

Be laying hands quickly on no one, nor be having fellowship with sins of others; be keeping thyself pure;

no longer be drinking water, but a little wine be using, because of thy stomach and of thine often infirmities;

of certain men the sins are manifest beforehand, leading before to judgment, and certain also they follow after;

in like manner also the right works are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.

As many as are servants under a yoke, their own masters worthy of all honour let them reckon, that the name of God and the teaching may not be evil spoken of;

and those having believing masters, let them not slight them , because they are brethren, but rather let them serve, because they are stedfast and beloved, who of the benefit are partaking. These things be teaching and exhorting;

if any one be teaching otherwise, and do not consent to sound words--those of our Lord Jesus Christ--and to the teaching according to piety,

he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and word-striving, out of which doth come envy, strife, evil-speakings, evil-surmisings,

wranglings of men wholly corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth, supposing the piety to be gain; depart from such;

but it is great gain--the piety with contentment;

for nothing did we bring into the world-- it is manifest that we are able to carry nothing out;

but having food and raiment--with these we shall suffice ourselves;

and those wishing to be rich, do fall into temptation and a snare, and many desires, foolish and hurtful, that sink men into ruin and destruction,

for a root of all the evils is the love of money, which certain longing for did go astray from the faith, and themselves did pierce through with many sorrows;

and thou, O man of God, these things flee, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness;

be striving the good strife of the faith, be laying hold on the life age-during, to which also thou wast called, and didst profess the right profession before many witnesses.

I charge thee, before God, who is making all things alive, and of Christ Jesus, who did testify before Pontius Pilate the right profession,

that thou keep the command unspotted, unblameable, till the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which in His own times He shall shew--the blessed and only potentate, the King of the kings and Lord of the lords,

who only is having immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see, to whom is honour and might age-during! Amen.

Those rich in the present age charge thou not to be high-minded, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who is giving to us all things richly for enjoyment; --