A Warning against Apostasy 1 UDB Now the Spirit clearly says that in later times some people will stop believing the truth about Christ and pay attention to spirits who deceive believers and demons who teach false things. BSB BSB: Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
2 UDB These people will say one thing but do any evil thing they wish, as if a hot iron had burned and ruined their minds. BSB BSB: influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
3 UDB They will try to stop believers from marrying. They will tell them not to eat certain things, even though God has created them so that believers who have come to know the truth can share them with each other while thanking God for them. BSB BSB: They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 UDB I say this because everything that God has made is good. We reject nothing that we receive from God while thanking him for it. BSB BSB: For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,
5 UDB For by praying to God and by believing his word, we set it apart for him. BSB BSB: because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ 6 UDB If you keep speaking this truth to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ. You will serve him well because the message that we believe is strengthening you, as have the good things that God has taught you and that you have followed. BSB BSB: By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
7 UDB But do not listen to the things that mean nothing and to the stories that only old women tell. Instead, train yourself to honor God. BSB BSB: But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
8 UDB Physical exercise helps only a little, but honoring God will help you with everything as you live now on earth and as you live in the future with God. BSB BSB: For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
9 UDB What I have just written is something that you can rely on. It is worth believing completely. BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.
10 UDB For this reason we work very hard, as hard as we can, because our hope is in God who lives—the Savior of all humanity but especially the Savior of those who believe. BSB BSB: To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
11 UDB Declare and teach these things to the believers. BSB BSB: Command and teach these things.
12 UDB Do not allow anyone to say that you are useless because you are young. Instead, show other believers how to live. Show them this by how you speak, how you live, how you love, how you trust God, and how you keep from committing evil deeds. BSB BSB: Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
13 UDB Until I come to you, see to it that you read God's word to the believers in public and that you explain and teach it to the believers. BSB BSB: Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
14 UDB Be sure to use the gift that is in you, what God gave to you when the elders laid hands on you and spoke God's messages to you. BSB BSB: Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
15 UDB Be sure to do all these things and live according to them. In this way, all the believers will see that you are doing them better and better. BSB BSB: Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
16 UDB Control yourself very carefully and do everything that we teach. Keep doing these things. If you do so, you will save yourself and the people who listen to you. BSB BSB: Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.