1 He foretells that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith. 6 And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty, he furnishes him with diverse precepts belonging thereto.

¹ Now the Spirit speaks 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 has 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 you put the brothers in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, to which you have attained.

⁷ But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself rather to godliness.

⁸ For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable to 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 labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

¹¹ These things command and teach.

¹² Let no man despise your youth; but be you 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 you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

¹⁵ Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear to all.

¹⁶ Take heed to yourself, and to the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you.