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

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

Personal Instructions and Benediction

²⁰ Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge;^(A)

⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed.^{(A) 8} And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus^[a] will destroy^[b] with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming.^(B)

¹⁴ not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth.^(A)

¹⁰ Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have trespassed and married foreign women and so increased the guilt of Israel.

³ One of its heads seemed to have received a death blow, but its fatal wound^[a] had been healed. In amazement the whole earth followed the beast.^(A)

¹⁸ For they speak bombastic nonsense, and with debased^[a] desires of the flesh they entice people who have just^[b] escaped from those who live in error.

² Even so, many will follow their debaucheries, and because of these teachers^[a] the way of truth will be maligned.