⁴ Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.

²³ Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.

⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

⁶ A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.^[a]

¹⁰ But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction.