1 B ut the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatise from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings 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 s peaking lies in hypocrisy, cauterised as to their own conscience,

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

3 f orbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful 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 good, and nothing to be rejected, being 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 by God's word and freely addressing.

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

6 L aying these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which thou hast fully followed up.

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 profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety;

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 piety is profitable for everything, having promise of life, of the present one, and of that 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 T he word faithful and worthy of all acceptation;

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

10 f or, for this we labour and suffer reproach, because we hope in a living God, who is preserver of all men, specially of those 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 E njoin and teach these things.

Continue to command these things and to teach them.

12 L et no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, 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 thyself 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 B e not negligent of the gift in thee, which has been given to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood.

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 O ccupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all.

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

16 G ive heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and those 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.