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

¹⁹ because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and goes to the sewer?” (Thus He declared ^(A)all foods ^(B)clean.)

¹⁴ I know and am convinced ^[a]in the Lord Jesus that ^(A)nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who ^(B)considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled.

^25 (A)Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake. ^26 (B)For the earth is the ^[a]Lord’s, as well as its fullness. 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 conscience’ sake. ²⁸ But ^(E)if anyone says to you, “This is meat consecrated to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake. ²⁹ I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For ^(F)why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I partake with gratefulness, ^(G)why am I slandered concerning that for which I ^(H)give thanks?

³¹ Whether, then, you eat or drink or ^(I)whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ^32 (J)Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to ^(K)the church of God; ³³ just as I also ^(L)please all men in all things, ^(M)not seeking my own profit but the profit 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 thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified by ^(C)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

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

^11 (S)Command and teach these things. ^12 (T)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but show yourself as ^(U)a model to those who believe in word, conduct, ^(V)love, faith, and purity. ^13 (W)Until I come, give attention to the public ^(X)reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift within you, which was given to you through ^(Y)prophetic utterance with ^(Z)the laying on of hands by the ^(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 your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(AC)save both yourself and those who hear you.

^15 (A)To the pure, all things are pure, but ^(B)to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their ^(C)mind and their conscience are defiled.