Warnings against False Teachers

1But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatise from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons 2speaking lies in hypocrisy, cauterised as to their own conscience, 3forbidding to marry, [bidding] to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth. 4For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing [is] to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving; 5for it is sanctified by God's word and freely addressing [him].

A Good Minister of Jesus Christ

(Leviticus 21:1-17)

6Laying 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. 7But profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety; 8for 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. 9The word [is] faithful and worthy of all acceptation; 10for, 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.

11Enjoin and teach these things. 12Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give thyself to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14Be 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. 15Occupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all. 16Give heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and those that hear thee.