¹⁹ And ordering the crowds to ^[a]sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looked 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 after ^(A)giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

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

³ who ^(A)forbid marriage and advocate ^(B)abstaining from foods which ^(C)God has created to be ^(D)gratefully shared in 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 gratitude; ⁵ for it is sanctified by means of ^(G)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

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

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