23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(A) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(B) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(C) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(D) who has taken them captive to do his will.

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23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And (A)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, (B)able to teach, (C)patient, 25 (D)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, (E)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, (F)so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and (G)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

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23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

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23 But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. 24 As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, 25 who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. 26 And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

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22-26 Run away from childish indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.

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