1 Timothy 4
1 However, the Spirit very clearly explains that in the last times some will abandon their trust in God, and will listen to deceptive spirits and beliefs that come from demons.
But the Spirit saith explicitly, that in the latter times, some will depart from the faith; and will go after deceptive spirits, and after the doctrine of demons.
2 These hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared,
These will seduce, by a false appearance; and will utter a lie, and will be seared in their conscience;
3 tell people to not marry and not to eat certain foods made by God that should be accepted with thanks by those who trust and know the truth.
and will forbid to marry; and will require abstinence from meats, which God hath created for use and for thankfulness, by them who believe and know the truth.
4 Everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected but should be received with thanks,
Because whatever is created by God is good; and there is nothing which should be rejected if it be received with thankfulness;
5 since it is made sacred by the word of God and by prayer.
for it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
6 If you point out these things to the brothers and sisters you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus. You gain strength by trusting in the truth, and in the good teaching you've followed.
If thou shalt inculcate these things on thy brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Jesus the Messiah, being educated in the language of the faith, and in the good doctrine which thou hast been taught.
7 Reject what is irreligious, and old wives' tales. Make sure your exercise is spiritual—
But the silly tales of old women, shun thou; and occupy thyself with righteousness.
8 for while physical exercise is useful to some extent, spiritual exercise is much more useful. For “it has promise for the present life, and for the life to come.”
For, exercising the body is profitable a little while; but righteousness is every way profitable and hath promise of the life of the present time and of that to come.
9 You can trust this saying that should be accepted by everyone.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of reception.
10 The reason we work and do the best we can is because our hope is in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who trust in him.
For on this account, we toil and suffer reproach; because we trust in the living God, who is the life-giver of all men, especially of the believers.
11 This is what you should teach. Tell everyone to follow your instructions.
These things teach thou, and inculcate.
12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. Be an example to those who trust in God—in the way you speak, the kind of life you live, in love, in trust, and in purity.
And let no one despise thy youth; but be thou a pattern for the believers, in speech, and in behavior, and in love, and in faith, and in purity.
13 Until I get there, make sure you read the Scriptures to the church, and encourage them by your speaking and teaching.
Until I come, be diligent in reading, and in prayer, and in teaching.
14 Don't neglect the gracious gift you have that was given to you by prophetic inspiration when the church elders laid their hands on you.
Despise not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, and by the laying on of the hand of the eldership.
15 Think carefully about these things, and dedicate yourself completely to them so that everyone can see the progress you're making.
On these things meditate; give thyself wholly to them: that it may be obvious to all that thou makest advances.
16 Mind what you're doing and what you're teaching. Keep going with all of this, because as you do so you'll save both yourself and those who listen to you.
Be attentive to thyself, and to thy teaching; and persevere in them. For in doing this, thou wilt procure life to thyself and to them who hear thee.
