1 Timothy
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy
4 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
4 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
4 3 Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
4 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
4 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
4 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.
4 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
4 9 This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
4 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
4 11 These things command and teach.
4 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
4 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
4 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
4 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
4 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
A Prayer After Reading the Scriptures
AND I pray thee, merciful Jesus, that as Thou hast graciously granted me sweet draughts from the Word which tells of Thee, so wilt Thou, of Thy goodness, grant that I may come at length to Thee, the fount of all wisdom, and stand before Thy face for ever.
St Bede (?672-735)