| Chapter 4 |
1 | But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, |
2 | through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; |
3 | forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. |
4 | For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: |
5 | for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. |
6 | If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed [until now]: |
7 | but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: |
8 | for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. |
9 | Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. |
10 | For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe. |
11 | These things command and teach. |
12 | Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. |
13 | Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. |
14 | Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. |
15 | Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all. |
16 | Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee. |