1 Timothy 4

¹ Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions

² through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences.

³ They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving,

⁵ for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer.

⁶ If you will give these instructions to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching you have followed.

⁷ Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion,

⁸ for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future.

⁹ This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.

¹⁰ For this we toil and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things.

¹² Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

¹³ Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.

¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone.

¹⁶ Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.