1 Timothy 4
Common English Bible
4 The Spirit clearly says that in latter times some people will turn away from the faith. They will pay attention to spirits that deceive and to the teaching of demons. 2 They will be controlled by the pretense of lying, and their own consciences will be seared. 3 They will prohibit marriage and eating foods that God created—and he intended them to be accepted with thanksgiving by those who are faithful and have come to know the truth. 4 Everything that has been created by God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected. 5 These things are made holy by God’s word and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus who has been trained by the words of faith and the good teaching that you’ve carefully followed. 7 But stay away from the godless myths that are passed down from the older women.
Practices of spiritual leadership
Train yourself for a holy life! 8 While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come. 9 This saying is reliable and deserves complete acceptance. 10 We work and struggle for this: “Our hope is set on the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially those who believe.” 11 Command these things. Teach them. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith, and by being sexually pure. 13 Until I arrive, pay attention to public reading, preaching, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the spiritual gift in you that was given through prophecy when the elders laid hands on you. 15 Practice these things, and live by them so that your progress will be visible to all. 16 Focus on working on your own development and on what you teach. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4
Worldwide English (New Testament)
4 The Spirit of God says very plainly that in later times some people will stop believing. They will listen to other spirits that fool them, and to the teaching of bad spirits.
2 Men will tell lies and make people believe they are something when they are not. These men will have made their hearts so hard that they will not know they are doing wrong.
3 They will teach people that they should not marry. They will teach them not to eat some kinds of food. God made the food and he wanted people to take it and thank him for it. Those who believe and know what is true do this.
4 Everything that God has made for food is good. It is all right to eat it if people thank God for it.
5 God's word and asking him to bless the food makes it good for people to eat.
6 Tell the Christian brothers and sisters these things and you will do the work of Christ Jesus well. Your own heart will be fed by the things you have believed and the good teaching you have followed.
7 Have nothing to do with foolish stories. Make yourself strong in the things that please God.
8 `To make the body strong helps a little, but the things of God help us in all ways. The things of God promise us life now and life in heaven.'
9 These are true words and everyone should believe them.
10 That is why we work hard and put up with troubles. We trust in the living God who came to save all people. He makes a way for those who believe in him.
11 Tell people these things and teach them to do them.
12 Do not let anyone despise you because you are a young man. Show those who believe how they should live. Show them by the way you talk. Show them by the way you live. Show them by the way you love. Show them how to believe by the way you believe. Show them how to live a clean life by the way you live a clean life.
13 Until I come, read the holy writings to people. Talk to them and teach them.
14 Use the gift you have. It was given to you when the church leaders put their hands on your head and gave you a message from God.
15 Take time to think about these things. Then everybody will see how well you are going ahead in your work.
16 Take care of yourself and what you teach. Keep on doing this. If you do, you will save yourself and those who listen to you.
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