| Chapter 4 |
1 | But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatise from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons |
2 | speaking lies in hypocrisy, cauterised as to their own conscience, |
3 | forbidding to marry, [bidding] to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth. |
4 | For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing [is] to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving; |
5 | for it is sanctified by God's word and freely addressing [him]. |
6 | Laying these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which thou hast fully followed up. |
7 | But profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety; |
8 | for bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for everything, having promise of life, of the present one, and of that to come. |
9 | The word [is] faithful and worthy of all acceptation; |
10 | for, for this we labour and suffer reproach, because we hope in a living God, who is preserver of all men, specially of those that believe. |
11 | Enjoin and teach these things. |
12 | Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. |
13 | Till I come, give thyself to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. |
14 | Be not negligent of the gift [that is] in thee, which has been given to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood. |
15 | Occupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all. |
16 | Give heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and those that hear thee. |