Avoid Dissension

⁹ But ^(A)avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, ^(A)charging them before the Lord not to ^[a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

⁷ But ^(A)reject profane and old wives’ fables, and ^(B)exercise yourself toward godliness.

¹⁴ not giving heed to Jewish fables and ^(A)commandments of men who turn from the truth.

¹⁶ But shun profane and ^[a]idle babblings, for they will ^[b]increase to more ungodliness.

No Other Doctrine

³ As I urged you ^(A)when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may ^[a]charge some ^(B)that they teach no other doctrine, ^4 (C)nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. ⁵ Now ^(D)the purpose of the commandment is love ^(E)from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from ^[b]sincere faith, ⁶ from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to ^(F)idle talk, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

Be Sensitive to Conscience

8 Now ^(A)concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have ^(B)knowledge. ^(C)Knowledge ^[a]puffs up, but love ^[b]edifies.