1 Timothy 4

1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

Now the Spirit says explicitly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceiving spirits and to things taught by demons

2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron,

—through hypocritical liars whose own consciences have been cauterized,

3 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

who forbid to marry and to eat foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and really know the truth.

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

5 For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

because it is consecrated through the Word of God and prayer.

6 If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

If you instruct the brothers in these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, brought up in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have faithfully followed.

7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.

But reject godless myths and old-wives' tales; rather, exercise yourself toward godliness.

8 For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now and of that which is to come.

Now physical exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, holding promises for both this present life and the one to come.

9 This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance.

Here is a trustworthy word, worthy of total acceptance

10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

(which is also why we labor and suffer reproach): We have set our hope on the living God, who is ‘Savior of all men’, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.

Command and teach these things.

12 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.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.

Until I come give attention to public reading [of Scripture], to exhortation, to teaching.

14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was ‘given’ to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders.

15 Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.

Cultivate these things; give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Take pains with yourself and the doctrine; persevere in those things, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who hear you.