1 Timothy 4

1 Now the Spirit saith expressly, that in the 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 through the hypocrisy of speakers of lies, who bear a brand on their own conscience,

—through hypocritical liars whose own consciences have been cauterized,

3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from food which God created to be received with thanksgiving, for those who believe and know 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 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving;

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

5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

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

6 If thou lay these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, with which thou art well acquainted.

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 avoid the profane and old wives' fables; and exercise thyself unto godliness.

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

8 For bodily exercise is profitable for little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

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 True is the saying, and worthy of all acceptance.

Here is a trustworthy word, worthy of total acceptance

10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers.

(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 These things command and teach.

Command and teach these things.

12 Let no one despise thy youth, but become an example to the believers, in word, in behavior, in love, 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 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.

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

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

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 Meditate on these things, give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest to all.

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

16 Give heed to thyself, and to thy teaching; continue in them; for in doing this thou wilt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

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.