IV. Now the Spirit says expressly, that in after-times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and teachings of demons; 2of those who speak lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from food, which God created to be received with thanksgiving, for those[3] who believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; 5for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nurtured in the words of the faith and of the good teaching, which thou hast strictly followed. 7But the profane and silly fables[7] avoid, and exercise thyself unto godliness. 8For bodily exercise is profitable for little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptance. 10For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
11These things command and teach. 12Let no one despise thy youth; but become an example of the believers, in word, in deportment, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee through prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15Meditate on these things[15]; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest to all. 16Give heed to thyself, and to the teaching; continue in them; for in doing this thou wilt save both thyself, and those who hear thee.
V. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; younger men as brethren; 2elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3Honor as widows those who are widows indeed. 4But if any widow has children or grand-children, let these learn first to show piety to their own household, and to requite their parents, for this is acceptable before God.
5Now she that is a widow indeed, and left alone, has set her hope on God, and continues in supplications and prayers, night and day. 6But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8But if any one provides not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
9Let not one be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one husband; 10well reported of for good works; if she brought up children, if she lodged strangers, if she washed the feet of the saints, if she relieved the afflicted, if she diligently followed every good work.
11But younger widows refuse; for when they have become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 12having condemnation, because they broke their first faith. 13And at the same time they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14I desire therefore that younger widows marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15For already, some turned aside after Satan.
16If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.
17Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and teaching. 18For the Scripture says: Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while treading out the grain; and, The laborer is worthy of his hire.