But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

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But avoid(A) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels(B) about the law,(C) because these are unprofitable and useless.(D)

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14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

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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.

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23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

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23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(A)

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But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

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Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(A) rather, train yourself to be godly.(B)

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14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

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14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths(A) or to the merely human commands(B) of those who reject the truth.(C)

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16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

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16 Avoid godless chatter,(A) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

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Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

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Would they argue with useless words,
    with speeches that have no value?(A)

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As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

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Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,(A) stay there in Ephesus(B) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines(C) any longer or to devote themselves to myths(D) and endless genealogies.(E) Such things promote controversial speculations(F) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart(G) and a good conscience(H) and a sincere faith.(I) Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers(J) of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.(K)

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Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

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Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

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And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

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If I have the gift of prophecy(A) and can fathom all mysteries(B) and all knowledge,(C) and if I have a faith(D) that can move mountains,(E) but do not have love, I am nothing.

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