Part 3

54:004:004 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

54:004:005 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

54:004:006 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.

54:004:007 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

54:004:008 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.

54:004:009 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

54:004:010 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.

54:004:011 These things command and teach.

54:004:012 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.

54:004:013 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

54:004:014 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

54:004:015 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

54:004:016 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.

54:005:001 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

54:005:002 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

54:005:003 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

54:005:004 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

54:005:005 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

54:005:006 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

54:005:007 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

54:005:008 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

54:005:009 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

54:005:010 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

54:005:011 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

54:005:012 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

54:005:013 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

54:005:014 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

54:005:015 For some are already turned aside after Satan.