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1 Timothy 4:12

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

1 Timothy 4:12, King James Version (KJV)

“Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.”

World English Bible (WEB)

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1 Timothy 4 (KJV)

  1. 1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
  2. 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
  3. 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
  4. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
  5. 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
  6. 6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
  7. 7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
  8. 8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
  9. 9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
  10. 10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
  11. 11These things command and teach.
  12. 12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
  13. 13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
  14. 14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
  15. 15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
  16. 16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Related verses

Passages that readers often connect with 1 Timothy 4:12, in the King James Version.

  • Titus 2:7

    In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

  • 2 Timothy 2:22

    Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  • 2 Timothy 2:15

    Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

  • 1 Peter 5:3

    Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

  • 2 Peter 1:5–8

    And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; …

  • 1 Corinthians 11:1

    Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

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1769 standardized text (eBible.org eng-kjv). Public domain outside the United Kingdom. Text courtesy of the Crosswire Bible Society and eBible.org. World English Bible Protestant Edition (eBible engwebp, 2026-09-15 snapshot). Public domain. World English Bible is a trademark of eBible.org. Text unmodified; footnotes and formatting omitted. Related verses: OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0), from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.