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 expressly declares that in later times some will fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons;

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

through the hypocrisy of men who teach falsely and have their own consciences seared as with a hot iron;

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.

forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from foods which God has created to be partaken of, with thankfulness, by those who believe and have a clear knowledge of the truth.

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

For everything that God has created is good, and nothing is to be cast aside, if only it is received with thanksgiving.

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

For it is made holy by the word of God 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.

If you warn the brethren of these dangers you will be a good and faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of the faith and of the sound teaching of which you have been, and are, so close a follower.

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

But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have nothing to do with.

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.

Train yourself in godliness. Exercise for the body is not useless, but godliness is useful in every respect, possessing, as it does, the promise of Life now and of the Life which is soon coming.

9 This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance.

Faithful is this saying and deserving of universal 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.

and here is the motive of our toiling and wrestling, because we have our hopes fixed on the ever-living God, who is the Saviour of all mankind, and especially of believers.

11 Command and teach these things.

Command this and teach this.

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 think slightingly of you because you are a young man; but in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, be an example for your fellow Christians to imitate.

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

Till I come, bestow your attention on reading, exhortation 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 be careless about the gifts with which you are endowed, which were conferred on you through a divine revelation when the hands of the elders were placed upon you.

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

Habitually practise these duties, and be absorbed in them; so that your growing proficiency in them 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.

Be on your guard as to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in these things; for by doing this you will make certain your own salvation and that of your hearers.