1 Timothy 4

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

1God's Spirit says this clearly. Later on, some people will leave the faith. They will listen to spirits that trick them. They will follow teachings that come from demons.

2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

2These teachings come from liars who only pretend to be good. Their sense of right and wrong has stopped working. It is like skin burned by a hot iron.

3Forbidding 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.

3They tell people not to get married. They tell people not to eat certain foods. But God made those foods so people could eat them and say thank you. People who believe and know the truth do that.

NoteThe old word here is "meats." In 1611 that meant food of any kind, not just meat from animals.

4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

4Everything God made is good. No food should be turned away when it is taken with thanks.

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

5God's word and our prayer make it holy.

6If 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.

6Remind God's people about these things. Then you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ. You grow strong on the words of faith and the good teaching you have followed.

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

7Stay away from silly old stories that do not honor God. Instead, train yourself to live God's way.

8For 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.

8Training your body helps a little. Living God's way helps in every way. It holds a promise for life now and for the life to come.

9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

9This saying is true. Everyone should accept it.

10For 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.

10That is why we work hard and keep going when people say mean things about us. We have put our hope in the living God. He is the Savior of all people. He is that most of all for those who believe.

11These things command and teach.

11Tell people these things. Teach them.

12Let 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.

12You are young. Do not let anyone look down on you for that. Show the believers how to live. Do it by what you say, by how you act, and by how you love. Do it by your faith and by staying pure.

NoteThe old words here are "conversation" and "charity." "Conversation" meant the whole way a person lives, not just talking. "Charity" meant love.

13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

13Until I come, read the Scriptures out loud to the people. Cheer them on. Teach them.

14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

14God gave you a gift. Do not leave it unused. It came when a message from God was spoken about you. At that time the church leaders laid their hands on you.

NoteThe old word here is "presbytery." It means the group of older men who led the church.

15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

15Think carefully about these things. Give yourself fully to them. Then everyone will see you growing.

16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

16Watch how you live. Watch what you teach. Keep doing both. That way you will save yourself and the people who listen to you.