2 Timothy 2:14-26

New International Reader's Version

What to Do About False Teachers

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. While God is watching, warn them not to argue about words. That doesn’t have any value. It only destroys those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly. ¹⁶ Stay away from godless chatter. Those who take part in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like a deadly sickness. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of those teachers. ¹⁸ They have turned away from the truth. They say that the time when people will rise from the dead has already come. They destroy the faith of some people. ¹⁹ But God’s solid foundation stands firm. Here is the message written on it. “The Lord knows who his own people are.” (Numbers 16:5) Also, “All who say they believe in the Lord must turn away from evil.”

²⁰ In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have special purposes. Others have common purposes. ²¹ Suppose someone stays away from what is common. Then the Master will be able to use them for special purposes. They will be made holy. They will be ready to do any good work.

²² Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with arguing. It is dumb and foolish. You know it only leads to fights. ²⁴ Anyone who serves the Lord must not be hard to get along with. Instead, they must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach. The one who serves must not hold anything against anyone. ²⁵ They must gently teach those who are against them. Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth. ²⁶ Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil’s trap. He has taken them as prisoners to do what he wanted.