-
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
-
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
-
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
-
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
-
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
-
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
-
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
-
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
-
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
-
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
-
11 These things command and teach.
-
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
-
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
-
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 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
-
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
|
- 1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
- 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
- 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
- 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;
- 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
- 6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
- 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
- 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
- 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.
- 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
- 11 Prescribe and teach these things.
- 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
- 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
- 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
- 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
- 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
|