Things taught by demons

1Now the Spirit says explicitly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceiving spirits and to things taught by demons

2—through hypocritical liars whose own consciences have been cauterized, ⁵⁰

3who forbid to marry and to eat foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and really know the truth.

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

5because it is consecrated through the Word of God and prayer. ⁵¹

A good servant of Jesus Christ

6If you instruct the brothers in these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, brought up in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have faithfully followed. ⁵²

7But reject godless myths and old-wives' tales; rather, exercise yourself toward godliness.

8Now physical exercise has some value, ⁵³but godliness has value in all things, holding promises ⁵⁴for both this present life and the one to come.

A trustworthy word

9Here is a trustworthy word, worthy of total acceptance

10(which is also why we labor and suffer reproach): ⁵⁵We have set our hope on the living God, who is ‘Savior of all men’, ⁵⁶especially of those who believe. ⁵⁷

Watch your life and doctrine

11Command and teach these things.

12Let no one look down on your youthfulness, ⁵⁸but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, ⁵⁹in faith, in purity.

13Until I come give attention to public reading [of Scripture], to exhortation, to teaching.

14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, ⁶⁰which was ‘given’ to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders. ⁶¹

15Cultivate these things; give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

16Take pains with yourself and the doctrine; persevere in those things, ⁶²because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ⁶³