All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God

^10 (A)You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, ¹¹ my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me ^(B)at Antioch, ^(C)at Iconium, and ^(D)at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet ^(E)from them all ^(F)the Lord rescued me. ¹² Indeed, all who desire to ^(G)live a godly life in Christ Jesus ^(H)will be persecuted, ¹³ while ^(I)evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and ^(J)being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, ^(K)continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom^[a] you learned it ¹⁵ and how ^(L)from childhood you have been acquainted with ^(M)the sacred writings, ^(N)which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ^16 (O)All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that ^(P)the man of God^[b] may be complete, ^(Q)equipped ^(R)for every good work.

¹¹ Command and teach ^(A)these things. ^12 (B)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers ^(C)an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ^14 (D)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you ^(E)by prophecy when the council of elders ^(F)laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,^[a] so that ^(G)all may see your progress. ^16 (H)Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save ^(I)both yourself and ^(J)your hearers.

Taming the Tongue

3 ^(A)Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For ^(B)we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, ^(C)he is a perfect man, ^(D)able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put ^(E)bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet ^(F)it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Taming the Tongue

3 ^(A)Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For ^(B)we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, ^(C)he is a perfect man, ^(D)able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put ^(E)bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet ^(F)it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!