THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO
TIMOTHY

1 Timothy 4 ©

1 Paul foretells the apostasy of some in the last days. 3 Who shall forbid marriage, and the use of some meats. 6 Exhorts Timothy to propound the true doctrine, and to reject fables. 8 And before all things to exercise himself in godliness, and after his example in all reproach to hope in God. 12 Charges him to set himself for a pattern of all virtues. 13 To continue in reading, 14 and not to neglect the gift which he has received. 15 To increase and persevere in that which is good. 16 With a promise that so doing he shall save both himself and his hearers.

1

NOWa1the Spirit speaketh expressly, that 2in the latter times some shall departb3from the faith, giving heed to 4seducing spirits, and doctrines 5of devils;

2

Speaking lies in 6hypocrisy; having their conscience searedc7with a hot iron;

3

Forbidding to marry, and 8commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created tod be received withe thanksgiving of them 9which believe and know the truth.

4

Forf every creatureg of God is good, and 10nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5

For it is 11sanctified 12by the word of God and 13prayer.

6

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, 14nourishedh up in the words 15of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

7

Buti refuse profane and old wives’ 16fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

8

Forj17bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, 18having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

9

This is 19a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

10

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we 20trust in the living God, who is the 21Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

11

These things command and teach.

12

22Letk no man despise thy youth; butl be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, 23in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13

Till I come, give attendance 24to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14

25Neglect not 26the gift that is in thee, which was given thee 27by prophecy, withm the laying on of the hands of the 28presbytery.

15

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that 29thy profiting may appear 30to all.

16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save 31thyself, and them that hear thee.