מ Mem

¹⁶ Then the officials^(A) and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man should not be sentenced to death!^(B) He has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”

¹⁷ Some of the elders of the land stepped forward and said to the entire assembly of people, ¹⁸ “Micah^(C) of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says:

¹⁹ “Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did not Hezekiah^(H) fear the Lord and seek^(I) his favor? And did not the Lord relent,^(J) so that he did not bring the disaster^(K) he pronounced against them? We are about to bring a terrible disaster^(L) on ourselves!”

²⁰ (Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim^(M) was another man who prophesied in the name of the Lord; he prophesied the same things against this city and this land as Jeremiah did. ²¹ When King Jehoiakim^(N) and all his officers and officials^(O) heard his words, the king was determined to put him to death.^(P) But Uriah heard of it and fled^(Q) in fear to Egypt. ²² King Jehoiakim, however, sent Elnathan^(R) son of Akbor to Egypt, along with some other men. ²³ They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him struck down with a sword^(S) and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.)^(T)

²⁴ Furthermore, Ahikam^(U) son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Dealing With False Teachers

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;^(A) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^{(B) 16} Avoid godless chatter,^(C) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(D) and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^(E) and they destroy the faith of some.^{(F) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^(G) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^(H) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^(I) must turn away from wickedness.”

²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.^{(J) 21} Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.^(K)

²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^(L) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^(M) out of a pure heart.^{(N) 23} Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.^{(O) 24} And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^{(P) 25} Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(Q) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(R) who has taken them captive to do his will.