1 B ut the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

But the Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,

2 t hrough the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized),

3 f orbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.

Who forbid people to marry and to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have knowledge of the truth.

4 F or every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.

5 f or it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.

6 I f thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:

If you lay all these instructions before the brethren, you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good instruction which you have closely followed.

7 b ut refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:

But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers’ tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety),.

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

For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

9 F aithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation.

This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody.

10 F or to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.

With a view to this we toil and strive, suffer reproach, because we have hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him).

11 T hese things command and teach.

Continue to command these things and to teach them.

12 L et no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

13 T ill I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.

Till I come, devote yourself to reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine.

14 N eglect 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 which is in you, which was directly imparted to you by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you.

15 B e diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.

Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them, so that your progress may be evident to everybody.

16 T ake heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

Look well to yourself and to teaching; persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.