⁷ Have nothing to do with profane and foolish tales. Train yourself in godliness,^(A)

⁴ and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training^[a] that is known by faith.^(A)

¹⁶ Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people^[a] into more and more impiety,^(A)

¹² training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,^(A)

⁵ For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with excellence, and excellence with knowledge,^{(A) 6} and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(B)

⁹ But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.^(A)

¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.^(A)

²³ Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.^(A)

⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.

The Good Fight of Faith

¹¹ But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.