⁸ and ^(A)sound speech that cannot be condemned, ^(B)so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

^12 (A)Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^(B)they may see your good deeds and glorify God on ^(C)the day of visitation.

¹⁵ For this is the will of God, ^(A)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

^16 (A)having a good conscience, so that, ^(B)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

¹⁴ Do all things ^(A)without grumbling or ^(B)disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, ^(C)children of God ^(D)without blemish ^(E)in the midst of ^(F)a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine ^(G)as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast to ^(H)the word of life, so that in ^(I)the day of Christ ^(J)I may be proud that ^(K)I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

⁹ So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk ^(A)in the fear of our God ^(B)to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?

³ If anyone ^(A)teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with ^(B)the sound^[a] words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching ^(C)that accords with godliness,

¹⁴ So I would have ^(A)younger widows marry, bear children, ^(B)manage their households, and ^(C)give the adversary no occasion for slander.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and ^(A)have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.