1 Timothy 4

1 [God’s] Spirit has clearly told us that in later times some people will stop believing the [teaching] that [all of us] believe. Instead, they will listen to [evil] spirits who deceive [people. They will also believe the false] doctrines/teachings that [they receive from] these evil spirits.

Now the Spirit has clearly said that, in the end times, some persons will depart from the faith, paying attention to spirits of error and the doctrines of devils,

2 The people who teach those false doctrines/teachings are liars! And they do not feel at all guilty [MET] [when they teach such teachings]!

speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their consciences seared,

3 [For example], they forbid [believers] to marry [because they say that it makes us unacceptable to God]. They also [command] that people abstain from [eating certain] foods. But God created such foods in order that we can eat them! We who believe [in Christ] know the true [teaching], and we thank [God for the food that he gives us. That is why we] can eat it.

prohibiting marriage, abstaining from foods, which God has created to be accepted with thanksgiving by the faithful and by those who have understood the truth.

4 [We can eat all kinds of food] because God has created all [food], and it is all good. We should not refuse to eat certain kinds of food if we thank [God for it] when we eat it.

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

5 It is acceptable [to God] because God [long ago] said [that all things that he made are good], and because we pray that God will bless it.

for it has been sanctified by the Word of God and by prayer.

6 When you teach these things to your fellow believers, you will be showing that you, [whom] Christ Jesus [appointed], serve them well. You will have become strong [spiritually] (by holding fast/by obeying) the true message that [we all] believe.

By proposing these things to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished by words of faith, and by the good doctrine that you have secured.

7 You must completely reject godless, silly/foolish stories [from your ancestors that old people tell]. Keep training yourself so that you have more (godly behavior/behavior that pleases God).

But avoid the silly fables of old women. And exercise yourself so as to advance in piety.

8 [Some people say], “It helps us in some ways if we exercise our bodies.” But [I say that] people benefit very much if they live (in a godly way/in a way that pleases God), because [if people live in a godly way, that] will benefit them both while they live now and when they live in the future life [in heaven].

For the exercise of the body is somewhat useful. But piety is useful in all things, holding the promise of life, in the present and in the future.

9 Those are words that are absolutely true, and everybody should believe them!

This is a faithful saying and worthy of full acceptance.

10 This is the reason why we work so hard [DOU] [for others], because we confidently expect that God, who is all-powerful, [will do the things that he has promised]. He is the one who [wants to] save all people, [so he protects them]. He certainly [protects us] who believe [in Christ]!

For this reason we labor and are maligned: because we hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, most especially of the faithful.

11 Command these things and teach these things.

Instruct and teach these things.

12 [Timothy], by the way you conduct your life, show the believers [in your congregation] how they should conduct their lives. Specifically, speak [good things], conduct yourself [well], love [people], trust [God], and be pure in every way. If you do all that, no one will [have any reason] (to belittle/to treat you disrespectfully) because of your being young.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example among the faithful in word, in behavior, in charity, in faith, in chastity.

13 Until I come, be sure that you read [the Scriptures to the congregation] and that you exhort/urge them [to obey the Scriptures], and teach them.

Until I arrive, attend to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine.

14 Do not forget [to use] the [abilities that God] gave to you as a result of [people/us] (prophesying/telling what God revealed to them) [about you], and as a result of the elders putting their hands on you [to commission/appoint you to do God’s work].

Do not be willing to neglect the grace that is within you, which was given to you through prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the priesthood.

15 Do these things [that I have told] you to do! (Concentrate on them/Do them [sincerely and] wholeheartedly) in order that everyone may see that you are improving [in how you do them].

Meditate on these things, so that your progress may be manifest to all.

16 Be careful that you [conduct] yourself well. By continuing to do that, you will save yourself. And if you continue [to teach the good] doctrine/teaching, the result of your teaching will be that [God] will save the people who listen to you.

Pay attention to yourself and to doctrine. Pursue these things. For in doing so, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.