1 But in later days, the Spirit distinctly declares, certain people will rebel against the faith; they will listen to spirits of error and to the doctrines that daemons teach
2 through plausible sophists who are seared in conscience ??3 men who prohibit marriage and insist on abstinence from foods which God created for believing men, who understand the Truth, to partake of with thanksgiving.
4 Anything God has created is good, and nothing is to be tabooed ??provided it is eaten with thanksgiving,
5 for then it is consecrated by the prayer said over it.
6 Lay this before the brotherhood, and you will be an excellent minister of Christ Jesus, brought up on the truths of the faith and on the lessons of the good doctrine you have already followed.
7 Shut your mind against these profane, drivelling myths; train for the religious life.
8 The training of the body is of small service, but religion is of service in all directions; it contains the promise of life both for the present and for the future.
9 It is a sure word, it deserves all praise,
10 that "we toil and strive because our hope is fixed upon the living God, the Saviour of all men" ??of believers in particular.
11 Give these orders and teach these lessons.
12 Let no one slight you because you are a youth, but set the believers an example of speech, behaviour, love, faith, and purity.
13 Attend to your Scripture-reading, your preaching, and your teaching, till I come.
14 You have a gift that came to you transmitted by the prophets, when the presbytery laid their hands upon you; do not neglect that gift.
15 Attend to these duties, let them absorb you, so that all men may note your progress.
16 Watch yourself and watch your teaching; stick to your work; if you do that, you will save your hearers as well as yourself.