Chapter 4

He warns him against heretics; and exhorts him to the exercise of piety.

1. 1

   Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error, and doctrines of devils,

2. 2

   Speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their conscience seared,

3. 3

   Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and by them that have known the truth.

4. 4

   For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving:

5. 5

   For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6. 6

   Proposing these things to the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished up in the words of faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast attained.

7. 7

   But avoid foolish and old wives' fables: and exercise thyself to piety.

8. 8

   For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but piety is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

9. 9

   A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.

10. 10

    For we labor for this, and are reviled, because we hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful.

11. 11

    These things command, and teach.

12. 12

    Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the faithful, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity.

13. 13

    Till I come, attend to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine.

14. 14

    Neglect not the grace which is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the priesthood.

15. 15

    Meditate on these things: be wholly in these things: that thy proficiency may be manifest to all.

16. 16

    Attend to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.