1 B ut the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful 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 b y means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

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

3 m en 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.

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 created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;

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 means of the word of God and prayer. A Good Minister’s Discipline

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

6 I n 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.

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

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 I t is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

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

10 F or 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.

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 P rescribe and teach these things.

Continue to command these things and to teach them.

12 L et no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

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

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

14 D o not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by 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 T ake pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident 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 P ay 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.

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.