1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit clearly says that in later times some people will leave the faith and pay attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons
But the Spirit distinctly says that in later times there will be some who will fall away from the faith, and devote their attention to misleading spirits, and to the teaching of demons,
2 in lying hypocrisy. Their own consciences will be branded.
who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These people’s consciences are seared,
3 They will forbid to marry and to receive foods that God created for sharing with thanksgiving among those who believe and who know the truth.
and they discourage marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food; though God created these foods to be enjoyed thankfully by those who hold the faith and have attained a full knowledge of the truth.
4 For everything created by God is good. Nothing that we take with thanksgiving is to be rejected.
Everything created by God is good, and there in nothing that need be rejected – provided only that it is received thankfully;
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
for it is consecrated by God’s blessing and by prayer.
6 If you place these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ. For you are being nourished by the words of faith and by the good teaching that you have followed.
Put all this before the followers, and you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, sustained by the precepts of the faith and of that good teaching by which you have guided your life.
7 But reject worldly stories loved by old women. Instead, train yourself in godliness.
As for profane legends and old wives’ tales, leave them alone. Train yourself to lead a religious life;
8 For bodily training is a little useful, but godliness is useful for all things. It holds promise for this life now and the life to come.
for while the training of the body is of service in some respects, religion is of service in all, carrying with it, as it does, a promise of life both here and hereafter.
9 This message is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance.
How true that saying is and worthy of the fullest acceptance!
10 For it is for this that we struggle and work very hard. For we have hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, but especially of believers.
With that aim we toil and struggle, for we have set our hopes on the living God, who is the Saviour of all, and especially of those who hold the faith.
11 Proclaim and teach these things.
Remember these things in your teaching.
12 Let no one despise your youth. Instead, be an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but, by your conversation, your conduct, your love, your faith, and your purity, be an example to those who hold the faith.
13 Until I come, attend to the reading, to the exhortation, and to the teaching.
Until I come, apply yourself to public reading, preaching, and teaching.
14 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 elders.
Do not neglect the divine gift within you, which was given you, amid many a prediction, when the hands of the church elders were laid on your head.
15 Care for these things. Be in them, so that your progress may be evident to all people.
Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that your progress may be plain to everyone.
16 Give careful attention to yourself and to the teaching. Continue in these things. For by doing so, you will save yourself and those who listen to you.
Look to yourself as well as to your teaching. Persevere in this, for your doing so will mean salvation for yourself as well as for your hearers.
