Timotheum I 4
1 Spiritus autem manifeste dicit, quia in novissimis temporibus discedent quidam a fide, attendentes spiritibus erroris, et doctrinis dæmoniorum,
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 in hypocrisi loquentium mendacium, et cauteriatam habentium suam conscientiam,
who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These people’s consciences are seared,
3 prohibentium nubere, abstinere a cibis, quod Deus creavit ad percipiendum cum gratiarum actione fidelibus, et iis qui cognoverunt veritatem.
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 Quia omnis creatura Dei bona est, et nihil rejiciendum quod cum gratiarum actione percipitur:
Everything created by God is good, and there in nothing that need be rejected – provided only that it is received thankfully;
5 sanctificatur enim per verbum Dei, et orationem.
for it is consecrated by God’s blessing and by prayer.
6 Hæc proponens fratribus, bonus eris minister Christi Jesu enutritus verbis fidei, et bonæ doctrinæ, quam assecutus es.
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 Ineptas autem, et aniles fabulas devita: exerce autem teipsum ad pietatem.
As for profane legends and old wives’ tales, leave them alone. Train yourself to lead a religious life;
8 Nam corporalis exercitatio, ad modicum utilis est: pietas autem ad omnia utilis est, promissionem habens vitæ, quæ nunc est, et futuræ.
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 Fidelis sermo, et omni acceptione dignus.
How true that saying is and worthy of the fullest acceptance!
10 In hoc enim laboramus, et maledicimur, quia speramus in Deum vivum, qui est Salvator omnium hominum, maxime fidelium.
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 Præcipe hæc, et doce.
Remember these things in your teaching.
12 Nemo adolescentiam tuam contemnat: sed exemplum esto fidelium in verbo, in conversatione, in caritate, in fide, in castitate.
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 Dum venio, attende lectioni, exhortationi, et doctrinæ.
Until I come, apply yourself to public reading, preaching, and teaching.
14 Noli negligere gratiam, quæ in te est, quæ data est tibi per prophetiam, cum impositione manuum presbyterii.
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 Hæc meditare, in his esto: ut profectus tuus manifestus sit omnibus.
Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that your progress may be plain to everyone.
16 Attende tibi, et doctrinæ: insta in illis. Hoc enim faciens, et teipsum salvum facies, et eos qui te audiunt.
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.
