23 But refuse foolish and ignorant (A)speculations, knowing that they (B)produce [a]quarrels. 24 (C)The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, (D)skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, 25 (E)with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, (F)if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to (G)the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from (H)the snare of the devil, having been (I)held captive [b]by him to do his will.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:23 Lit fightings
  2. 2 Timothy 2:26 Or by him, to do His will

23 Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments. 24 A servant[a] of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable,[b] willing to suffer wrong, 25 and gentle when refuting opponents. After all, maybe God will allow them to repent and to come to a full knowledge of the truth, 26 so that they might escape from the Devil’s snare, even though they’ve been held captive by him to do his will.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:24 Or slave
  2. 2 Timothy 2:24 Or able to teach