⁴ nor ^(A)to devote themselves to myths and endless ^(B)genealogies, which promote ^(C)speculations rather than the stewardship^[a] from God that is by faith. ⁵ The aim of our charge is love ^(D)that issues from a pure heart and ^(E)a good conscience and ^(F)a sincere faith. ⁶ Certain persons, by ^(G)swerving from these, have wandered away into ^(H)vain discussion, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, ^(I)without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

^4 (A)he is puffed up with conceit and ^(B)understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for ^(C)controversy and for ^(D)quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction among people ^(E)who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, ^(F)imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

²⁰ O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. ^(A)Avoid the ^(B)irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

A Worker Approved by God

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and ^(A)charge them before God^{[a] (B)}not to quarrel about words, ^(C)which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

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