1 ¶ Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, listening to spirits of error 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 hat in hypocrisy shall speak lies; having their conscience seared as with a hot iron;

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

3 t hey shall forbid to marry and shall command men to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who are faithful and have known 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 everything that God created is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it is 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 the word of God and prayer.

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

6 ¶ If thou put these things before the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, unto which thou hast attained.

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 rather 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 profits a little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that 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 T he Word is faithful and worthy of acceptation by all.

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

10 F or this we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour 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 C ommand and teach this.

Continue to command these things and to teach them.

12 L et no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, 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 U ntil I come, occupy thyself reading, exhorting, 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 is given unto thee to prophesy, through the laying on of the hands of the elders.

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 in these things with care, for in this is everything, that thy profiting 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 unto thyself and unto the doctrine; be diligent in this, for in doing so thou shalt both save 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.