^11 (A)It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles the person.”

¹⁹ because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and ^[a]is eliminated?” (Thereby He declared ^(A)all foods ^(B)clean.)

¹⁴ I know and am convinced ^[a]in the Lord Jesus that ^(A)nothing is ^[b]unclean in itself; but to the one who ^(B)thinks something is ^[c]unclean, to that person it is ^[d]unclean.

^25 (A)Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience; ^26 (B)for the earth is the Lord’s, and ^[a]all it contains. ²⁷ If ^(C)one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, ^(D)eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience. ²⁸ But ^(E)if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and for the sake of conscience; ²⁹ Now by “conscience” I do not mean your own, but the other person’s; for ^(F)why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I partake with thankfulness, ^(G)why am I slandered about that for which I ^(H)give thanks?

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or ^(I)whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. ^32 (J)Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or ^(K)the church of God; ³³ just as I also ^(L)please everyone in all things, ^(M)not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, ^(N)so that they may be saved.

⁴ For ^(A)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(B)received with gratitude; ⁵ for it is sanctified by means of ^(C)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

⁶ In pointing out these things to ^(D)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good ^(E)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^(F)good doctrine which you ^(G)have been following. ⁷ But ^[a]stay away from ^(H)worthless ^(I)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, ^[b]discipline yourself for the purpose of ^(J)godliness; ⁸ for ^(K)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but ^(L)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it ^(M)holds promise for the ^(N)present life and also for the life to come. ^9 (O)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set ^(P)our hope on ^(Q)the living God, who is ^(R)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

^11 [c](S)Prescribe and teach these things. ^12 (T)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^(U)love, faith, and purity, show yourself ^(V)an example ^[d]of those who believe. ^13 (W)Until I come, give your attention to the public ^[e](X)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of ^(Y)prophecy with ^(Z)the laying on of hands by the ^[f](AA)council of elders. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ^16 (AB)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(AC)save both yourself and those who hear you.