Chapter 4

  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  

  speaking lies in hypocrisy, cauterised as to their own conscience,  

  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.  

  For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing [is] to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving;  

  for it is sanctified by God's word and freely addressing [him].  

  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.  

  But profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety;  

  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.  

  The word [is] faithful and worthy of all acceptation;  

  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.  

  Enjoin and teach these things.  

  Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  

  Till I come, give thyself to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.  

  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.  

  Occupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all.  

  Give heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and those that hear thee.