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.

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]!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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].

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

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]!

11 Command these things 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.

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.

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].

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].

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.