Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(A) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(B) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(C) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(D) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(E) and they destroy the faith of some.(F) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(G) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(H) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(I) must turn away from wickedness.”

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An Approved Worker

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God[a] not to fight about words.(A) This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.(B) 16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,(C) 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus(D) and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,(E) and are ruining the faith of some.(F) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription:(G) The Lord knows those who are his,[b](H) and let everyone who calls on the name(I) of[c] the Lord turn away from wickedness.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:14 Other mss read before the Lord
  2. 2:19 Nm 16:5
  3. 2:19 Lit everyone who names the name of