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,

But the Spirit distinctly says that in later times there will be some who will fall away from the faith, and devote their attention to misleading spirits, and to the teaching of demons,

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

who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These people’s consciences are seared,

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.

and they discourage marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food; though God created these foods to be enjoyed thankfully by those who hold the faith and have attained a full knowledge of the truth.

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

Everything created by God is good, and there in nothing that need be rejected – provided only that it is received thankfully;

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

for it is consecrated by God’s blessing and by 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.

Put all this before the followers, and you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, sustained by the precepts of the faith and of that good teaching by which you have guided your life.

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

As for profane legends and old wives’ tales, leave them alone. Train yourself to lead a religious life;

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.

for while the training of the body is of service in some respects, religion is of service in all, carrying with it, as it does, a promise of life both here and hereafter.

9 This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance.

How true that saying is and worthy of the fullest 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.

With that aim we toil and struggle, for we have set our hopes on the living God, who is the Saviour of all, and especially of those who hold the faith.

11 Command and teach these things.

Remember these things in your teaching.

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.

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but, by your conversation, your conduct, your love, your faith, and your purity, be an example to those who hold the faith.

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

Until I come, apply yourself to public reading, preaching, and 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 divine gift within you, which was given you, amid many a prediction, when the hands of the church elders were laid on your head.

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

Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that your progress may be plain to everyone.

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.

Look to yourself as well as to your teaching. Persevere in this, for your doing so will mean salvation for yourself as well as for your hearers.