²³ Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant ^(A)controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴ And ^(B)the Lord's servant^[a] must not be quarrelsome but ^(C)kind to everyone, ^(D)able to teach, patiently enduring evil, ²⁵ correcting his opponents ^(E)with gentleness. God ^(F)may perhaps grant them repentance ^(G)leading to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from ^(H)the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

¹⁵ but ^(A)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^(B)always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and ^(C)respect,