An Unashamed Worker

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly (A)exhort them in the presence of God not to (B)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. 15 Be diligent to (C)present yourself approved to God as a worker who [a]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (D)the word of truth. 16 But (E)avoid (F)worldly and empty chatter, for [b]it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their [c]talk will spread like [d]gangrene. Among them are (G)Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that (H)the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing (I)the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the (J)firm foundation of God stands, having this (K)seal: “(L)The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “(M)Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:15 Or has no reason to
  2. 2 Timothy 2:16 Lit they will make further progress in ungodliness
  3. 2 Timothy 2:17 Lit word
  4. 2 Timothy 2:17 Or cancer

14 Remind others about these things, and warn them before God[a] not to argue over words. Arguing[b] does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision. 16 However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly, 17 and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that. 18 They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others.

19 However, God’s solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: “The Lord[c] knows those who belong to him,”[d] and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord[e] must turn away from evil.”[f]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:14 Other mss. read of the Lord
  2. 2 Timothy 2:14 Lit. It
  3. 2 Timothy 2:19 MT source citation reads Lord
  4. 2 Timothy 2:19 Cf. Num 16:5
  5. 2 Timothy 2:19 MT source citation reads Lord
  6. 2 Timothy 2:19 Cf. Num 16:26