1 N ow the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

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 S peaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

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

3 F orbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know 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 every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be 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 I f thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto 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 profiteth 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 his is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

10 F or therefore 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 T hese things command and teach.

Prescribe and teach these things.

12 L et no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, 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 T ill I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

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 was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

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 M editate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to 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; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them 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.