1 Timothy 4

1 And the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons,

Now the Spirit says explicitly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceiving spirits and to things taught by demons

2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience,

—through hypocritical liars whose own consciences have been cauterized,

3 forbidding to marry—to abstain from meats that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those believing and acknowledging the truth,

who forbid to marry and to eat foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and really know the truth.

4 because every creature of God [is] good, and nothing [is] to be rejected, with thanksgiving being received,

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

5 for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.

because it is consecrated through the Word of God and prayer.

6 Placing these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, which you followed after,

If you instruct the brothers in these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, brought up in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have faithfully followed.

7 but reject the profane and old women’s fables, and exercise yourself to piety,

But reject godless myths and old-wives' tales; rather, exercise yourself toward godliness.

8 for bodily exercise is to little profit, but piety is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is coming;

Now physical exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, holding promises for both this present life and the one to come.

9 the word [is] steadfast, and worthy of all acceptance;

Here is a trustworthy word, worthy of total acceptance

10 for this we both labor and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Savior of all men—especially of those believing.

(which is also why we labor and suffer reproach): We have set our hope on the living God, who is ‘Savior of all men’, especially of those who believe.

11 Charge these things, and teach;

Command and teach these things.

12 let no one despise your youth, but become a pattern of those believing in word, in behavior, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity;

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 until I come, give heed to the reading, to the exhortation, to the teaching;

Until I come give attention to public reading [of Scripture], to exhortation, to teaching.

14 do not be careless of the gift in you, that was given you through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the eldership;

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was ‘given’ to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders.

15 be careful of these things; be in these things, that your advancement may be evident in all things;

Cultivate these things; give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

16 take heed to yourself and to the teaching; remain in them, for doing this thing, you will save both yourself and those hearing you.

Take pains with yourself and the doctrine; persevere in those things, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who hear you.