¹³ As soon as Laban^(A) heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him^(B) and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. ¹⁴ Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.”^(C)

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, ¹⁵ Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative^(D) of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages^(E) should be.”

¹⁶ Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah,^(F) and the name of the younger was Rachel.^{(G) 17} Leah had weak^[a] eyes, but Rachel^(H) had a lovely figure and was beautiful.^{(I) 18} Jacob was in love with Rachel^(J) and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”^(K)

¹⁹ Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” ²⁰ So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel,^(L) but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.^(M)

²¹ Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.^(N)”

²² So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.^{(O) 23} But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah^(P) and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. ²⁴ And Laban gave his servant Zilpah^(Q) to his daughter as her attendant.^(R)

²⁵ When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me?^(S) I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?^(T)”

²⁶ Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.^{(U) 27} Finish this daughter’s bridal week;^(V) then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.^(W)”

²⁸ And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.^{(X) 29} Laban gave his servant Bilhah^(Y) to his daughter Rachel as her attendant.^{(Z) 30} Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah.^(AA) And he worked for Laban another seven years.^(AB)

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,^(A) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.^{(B) 2} Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.^(C) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare^[a] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.^{(D) 3} If anyone teaches otherwise^(E) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(F) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(G) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(H) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth^(I) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment^(J) is great gain.^{(K) 7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.^{(L) 8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.^{(M) 9} Those who want to get rich^(N) fall into temptation and a trap^(O) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money^(P) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith^(Q) and pierced themselves with many griefs.^(R)

Final Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God,^(S) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,^(T) faith, love,^(U) endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight^(V) of the faith. Take hold of^(W) the eternal life^(X) to which you were called when you made your good confession^(Y) in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate^(Z) made the good confession,^(AA) I charge you^{(AB) 14} to keep this command without spot or blame^(AC) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(AD) 15} which God will bring about in his own time^(AE)—God, the blessed^(AF) and only Ruler,^(AG) the King of kings and Lord of lords,^{(AH) 16} who alone is immortal^(AI) and who lives in unapproachable light,^(AJ) whom no one has seen or can see.^(AK) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.^(AL)

¹⁷ Command those who are rich^(AM) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,^(AN) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,^(AO) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.^{(AP) 18} Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,^(AQ) and to be generous and willing to share.^{(AR) 19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves^(AS) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of^(AT) the life that is truly life.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted^(AU) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter^(AV) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.^(AW)

Grace be with you all.^(AX)