⁷But ^srefuse profane and old wives’ ^tfables, and ^uexercise thyself rather unto ^vgodliness. ⁸For ^wbodily exercise profiteth ^||little: ^xbut ^vgodliness is profitable unto all things, ^yhaving promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. ⁹^zThis is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. ¹⁰For therefore ^awe both labour and suffer reproach, because we ^btrust in ^cthe living God, who is ^dthe Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. ¹¹^eThese things command and teach.

¹²^fLet no man despise ^gthy youth; but ^hbe thou ⁱan example of the believers, in word, in ^jconversation, in ^kcharity, in spirit, in ^kfaith, in ^lpurity.

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Footnotes

s Acts 25:11. ch. 5:11. 2 Tim. 2:23 (Gk.). Tit. 3:10 (Gk.).
tSee ch. 1:4. So 2 Tim. 2:16, 23. Tit. 3:9.
vSee ch. 2:10.
wComp. Col. 2:23.
||Or, for a little time. So 1 Pet. 1:6. & 5:10.
xSo ch. 6:6.
vSee ch. 2:10.
y Ps. 37:4, 9:10. & 84:11. & 85:12. & 112:2, 3. & 145:19. Prov. 19:23. & 22:4. & 28:10. Matt. 6:33. Mark 10:30. So 1 Pet. 3:9.
zSee ch. 1:15.
a 1 Cor. 4:12. So 2 Cor. 6:5. & 11:23. 2 Thess. 3:8.
bch. 6:17. So ch. 5:5.
cSee ch. 3:15.
d Wisd. 16:7. So John 4:42. 1 John 4:14. See Luke 1:47. Comp. Ps. 36:6. & 106:21. ch. 2:4.
eSo ch. 5:7. & 6:2.
fComp. 1 Cor. 16:11. Tit. 2:15.
gComp. 2.Tim. 2:22.
hSo Tit. 2:7. See 1 Cor. 4:16.
iSee 1 Cor. 10:6.
jSee Gal. 1:13.
kSee ch. 1:14.
kSee ch. 1:14.
lch. 5:2.

Cross references

u Heb. 5:14.

Public Domain

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

NLTNew Living Translation

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

But reject those worthless myths told by elderly women, and train yourself for godliness. For the training of the body is somewhat profitable, but godliness is profitable for everything, because it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. The statement is trustworthy and deserving of complete acceptance. For to this end we labor and suffer reproach, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

Command these things and teach them. Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.