1 Timothy, 4

1. The Spirit has explicitly said that during the last times some will desert the faith and pay attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines that come from devils,

1. Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

2. seduced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are branded as though with a red-hot iron:

2. through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared,

3. they forbid marriage and prohibit foods which God created to be accepted with thanksgiving by all who believe and who know the truth.

3. who forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4. Everything God has created is good, and no food is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving:

4. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving;

5. the word of God and prayer make it holy.

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

6. If you put all this to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus and show that you have really digested the teaching of the faith and the good doctrine which you have always followed.

6. If you put these instructions before the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

7. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales. Train yourself for religion.

7. Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness;

8. Physical exercise is useful enough, but the usefulness of religion is unlimited, since it holds out promise both for life here and now and for the life to come;

8. for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

9. that is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt it.

9. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance.

10. I mean that the point of all our toiling and battling is that we have put our trust in the living God and he is the Saviour of the whole human race but particularly of all believers.

10. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

11. This is what you are to instruct and teach.

11. Command and teach these things.

12. Let no one disregard you because you are young, but be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity.

12. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

13. Until I arrive, devote yourself to reading to the people, encouraging and teaching.

13. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.

14. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not neglect it.

14. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.

15. Let this be your care and your occupation, and everyone will be able to see your progress.

15. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

16. Be conscientious about what you do and what you teach; persevere in this, and in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

16. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.