1 Timothy 4

1 Now the Spirit has clearly said that, in the end times, some persons will depart from the faith, paying attention to spirits of error and the doctrines of devils,2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their consciences seared,3 prohibiting marriage, abstaining from foods, which God has created to be accepted with thanksgiving by the faithful and by those who have understood the truth.4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving;5 for it has been sanctified by the Word of God and by prayer.6 By proposing these things to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished by words of faith, and by the good doctrine that you have secured.7 But avoid the silly fables of old women. And exercise yourself so as to advance in piety.8 For the exercise of the body is somewhat useful. But piety is useful in all things, holding the promise of life, in the present and in the future.9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of full acceptance.10 For this reason we labor and are maligned: because we hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, most especially of the faithful.11 Instruct and teach these things.12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example among the faithful in word, in behavior, in charity, in faith, in chastity.13 Until I arrive, attend to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine.14 Do not be willing to neglect the grace that is within you, which was given to you through prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the priesthood.15 Meditate on these things, so that your progress may be manifest to all.16 Pay attention to yourself and to doctrine. Pursue these things. For in doing so, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

1 Timothy 4

Timothy’s Ministry in the Later Times

1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselvest with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,t2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liarst whose consciences are seared.ts3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.4 For every creation of God is good and no foodt is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters,t you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.s7 But reject those mythss fit only for the godless and gullible,t and train yourself for godliness.8 For “physical exerciset has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”9 This sayingts is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.

10 In fact this is whyt we work hard and struggle,s because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people,t especially of believers.
11 Command and teach these things.12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness,t and purity.13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture,ts to exhortation, to teaching.14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have,t given to you and confirmed by prophetic wordsts when the elders laid hands on you.t15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.t

16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach.t Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.