Letters to the Churches

not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:

that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:

that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:

the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded:

in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity,

sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.

Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying;

not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;

looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work,

to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.

For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,

not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.