²¹ (All the Athenians^(A) and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter,^(A) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(B) and Philetus,

⁵ Be wise^(A) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(B) make the most of every opportunity.^(C)

¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(A) because the days are evil.^(B)

¹³ Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies^(A) who talk nonsense,^(B) saying things they ought not to.

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.^{(A) 12} Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(B) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^(C)