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 explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 t hat in hypocrisy shall speak lies; having their conscience seared as with a hot iron;

by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

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.

men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know 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 created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;

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

for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. A Good Minister’s Discipline

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.

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

7 B ut refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

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 bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

9 T he Word is faithful and worthy of acceptation by all.

It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

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.

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

11 C ommand and teach this.

Prescribe and teach these things.

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 look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

13 U ntil I come, occupy thyself reading, exhorting, teaching.

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.

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 spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

15 O ccupy thyself in these things with care, for in this is everything, that thy profiting may be manifest unto all.

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

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.

Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.