1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
6If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family. you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
謹防偽君子
1聖靈明確地說，日後必有人離棄真道，去追隨那些迷惑人的邪靈和鬼魔的學說。 2這些學說是出自假冒偽善的騙子，他們良心喪盡，麻木不仁4·2 「良心喪盡，麻木不仁」希臘文是「良心被烙鐵燙過」。， 3禁止人結婚和吃某些食物。其實那些食物是上帝創造的，為了讓相信並且明白真理的人存感恩的心領受。 4上帝所造的一切都是美好的，若以感恩的心去領受，就無需任何禁忌， 5因為上帝的道和人的禱告可以使食物聖潔。
6你要提醒弟兄姊妹這些事，這樣你就是基督耶穌的好僕人，會不斷地從你所信的真道和所遵行的美好教導上得到造就。
做信徒的榜樣
7但你要棄絕世俗、荒誕的傳說，要訓練自己做個敬虔的人。 8鍛煉體魄益處還少，敬虔生活受益無窮，擁有今生和永世的應許。 9這話真實可信，值得完全接受。 10我們努力奮鬥正是為了這個目的，因為我們的盼望在於永活的上帝。祂是全人類的救主，更是信徒的救主。 11你要吩咐和教導這些事。
12不要因為年輕而叫人小看你，總要在言語、行為、愛心、信心和純潔各方面做信徒的榜樣。 13在我來之前，你要專心宣讀聖經，勉勵會眾，教導真理。 14不要忽略你的恩賜，那是藉著預言在眾長老把手按在你身上時賜給你的。 15你要全心全意地做這些事，讓大家都看到你的長進。 16你要注意自己的言行和教導，要持之以恆。這樣，你不但能救自己，也能救那些聽你教導的人。
