| The spirit speaketh evidently that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, and shall give heed unto spirits of error, and devilish doctrine of them which speak false through hypocrisy, and have their consciences marked with an hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with giving thanks, of them which believe and know the truth. For all the creatures of God are good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou shalt put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesu Christ, which hast been nourished up in the words of the faith and good doctrine which doctrine thou hast continually followed. But cast away unghostly and old wives fables.
Exercise thyself unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: But godliness is good unto all things, as a thing which hath promises of the life that is now, and of the life to come. This is a sure saying, and of all parties worthy to be received. For therefore we labour and suffer rebuke, because we believe in the living God which is the saviour of all men, but specially of those that believe. Such things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth: but be unto them that believe, an example, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith and in pureness.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation and to doctrine. Despise not the gift that is the thee, which was given thee through prophecy and with laying on of the hands of an elder. These things exercise, and give thyself unto them, that it may be seen how thou profitest in all things. Take heed unto thyself and unto learning, and continue therein. For if thou shalt so do, thou shalt save thyself and them that hear thee. |
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