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A Worker Approved by God

14 Remind them of this, and warn them before the Lord[a] that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.(A) 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 16 Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people[b] into more and more impiety,(B) 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,(C) 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying resurrection[c] has already occurred. They are upsetting the faith of some.(D) 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.14 Other ancient authorities read God
  2. 2.16 Gk for they will advance
  3. 2.18 Other ancient authorities read the resurrection

14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

An Approved Worker

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer,[a] as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”[b] and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 2:17 Greek gangrene.
  2. 2:19a Num 16:5.
  3. 2:19b See Isa 52:11.