Warning Against False Teaching

³ I ·asked [urged; encouraged] you to stay longer in Ephesus [^Ca major port city in the Roman province of Asia, present-day western Turkey; Acts 19] when I went into Macedonia [^Ca Roman province in present-day northern Greece] so you could ·command [charge; instruct] some people there ·to stop teaching [or not to teach] ·false things [^Ldifferent doctrine/teachings; ^Cdifferent from Paul’s Gospel, and so false]. ⁴ Tell them not to ·spend their time on [occupy themselves with; devote themselves to] ·stories that are not true [myths] and ·on long lists of names in family histories [endless/useless genealogies; Titus 3:9]. These things only bring ·arguments [controversy; or useless speculation]; they do not help God’s ·work [plan; redemptive purpose], which ·is done in [or operates by; or is received by; or is known by] faith. ⁵ The ·purpose [goal; aim] of this ·command [charge; instruction] is for people to have love, a love that comes from a pure heart and a ·good [clear] conscience and a ·true [genuine; sincere] faith. ⁶ Some people have ·missed [departed/deviated from] these things and turned to ·useless talk [empty/meaningless/foolish discussion]. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand either what they are talking about or what they ·are sure about [so confidently assert].