² If I have the gift of prophecy^(A) and can fathom all mysteries^(B) and all knowledge,^(C) and if I have a faith^(D) that can move mountains,^(E) but do not have love, I am nothing.

⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous^(A) but for lawbreakers and rebels,^(B) the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine^(C)

³ If anyone teaches otherwise^(A) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(C) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(D) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

¹³ What you heard from me,^(A) keep^(B) as the pattern^(C) of sound teaching,^(D) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.^(E)

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(A) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.^(B)

⁹ He must hold firmly^(A) to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine^(B) and refute those who oppose it.

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.^(A)

¹⁸ For they mouth empty, boastful words^(A) and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping^(B) from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”^(C)