12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech,(A) in conduct,(B) in love,[a](C) in faith, and in purity.(D) 13 Until I come,(E) give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,(F) with the laying on of hands(G) by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save(H) both yourself and your hearers.(I)

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.

Footnotes

  1. 4:12 Other mss add in spirit,

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.

Widows, Elders and Slaves

Do not rebuke an older man(J) harshly,(K) but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men(L) as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.