¹⁹ And ordering the crowds to ^[a]sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He ^(A)blessed the food. And breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds,

³⁶ and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and ^(A)giving thanks, He broke them and kept giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

³⁰ If I partake with gratefulness, ^(A)why am I slandered concerning that for which I ^(B)give thanks?

³ who ^(A)forbid marriage and advocate ^(B)abstaining from foods which ^(C)God created to be shared in ^(D)with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For ^(E)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(F)received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified by ^(G)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

⁶ In pointing out these things to ^(H)the brothers, you will be a good ^(I)servant of Christ Jesus, being nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^[a](J)sound doctrine which you ^(K)have been following. ⁷ But refuse ^(L)godless ^(M)myths fit only for old women. On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of ^(N)godliness, ⁸ for ^(O)bodily training is only of little profit, but ^(P)godliness is profitable for all things, since it ^(Q)holds promise for the ^(R)present life and also for the life to come. ^9 (S)It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed ^(T)our hope on ^(U)the living God, who is ^(V)the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

^11 (W)Command and teach these things. ^12 (X)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but show yourself as ^(Y)a model to those who believe in word, conduct, ^(Z)love, faith, and purity. ^13 (AA)Until I come, give attention to the public ^(AB)reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift within you, which was given to you through ^(AC)prophetic utterance with ^(AD)the laying on of hands by the ^(AE)council of elders. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ^16 (AF)Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(AG)save both yourself and those who hear you.