12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(A) because you are young, but set an example(B) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(C) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(D) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(E) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(F) when the body of elders(G) laid their hands on you.(H)

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(I) both yourself and your hearers.

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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.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

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.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

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.

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Take Heed to Your Ministry

12 Let no one [a]despise your youth, but be an (A)example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, [b]in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [c]doctrine. 14 (B)Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy (C)with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:12 look down on your youthfulness
  2. 1 Timothy 4:12 NU omits in spirit
  3. 1 Timothy 4:13 teaching