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 states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful 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,

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared 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.

They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and 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 creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,

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

because it is sanctified by 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.

By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.

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

But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for 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.

For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

9 This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance.

This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full 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.

To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and 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 despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

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

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.

14 Do not 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 you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

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

Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will 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.

Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.