Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,^(A) stay there in Ephesus^(B) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines^(C) any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths^(D) and endless genealogies.^(E) Such things promote controversial speculations^(F) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^(G) and a good conscience^(H) and a sincere faith.^(I)

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith^(A) and of the good teaching that you have followed.^{(B) 7} Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;^(C) rather, train yourself to be godly.^{(D) 8} For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,^(E) holding promise for both the present life^(F) and the life to come.^{(G) 9} This is a trustworthy saying^(H) that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,^(I) who is the Savior of all people,^(J) and especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things.^{(K) 12} Don’t let anyone look down on you^(L) because you are young, but set an example^(M) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith^(N) and in purity. ¹³ Until I come,^(O) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,^(P) to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy^(Q) when the body of elders^(R) laid their hands on you.^(S)

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save^(T) both yourself and your hearers.

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 ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth^(E) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment^(F) is great gain.^{(G) 7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.^(H)

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted^(A) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter^(B) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.^(C)

Grace be with you all.^(D)