Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance. And warn them before the Lord not to strive about words, which accomplishes nothing but to pervert the hearers.

¹⁵ Be diligent to show yourself laudable to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ Unspiritual and vain voices pass over. For they will increase to greater ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their words will consume even as does a canker – of whose number are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who as concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of divers persons.

¹⁹ But the sure foundation of God remains, and has this seal: the Lord knows those that are his. And let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity. ²⁰ Notwithstanding, in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: some for honour, and some for dishonour. ²¹ But if a man purges himself from such fellows, he will be a vessel sanctified unto honour, meet for the Lord and prepared for all good works.

²² Lusts of youth avoid. Follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. ²³ Foolish and unlearned controversies put from you, remembering that they do but engender strife. ²⁴ But the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be peaceable towards all, able to teach, and one that can be patient with the evil, ²⁵ and can correct those who resist – if perhaps God at any time will give them repentance to know the truth, ²⁶ so that they may come to themselves again out of the snare of the devil, who are now taken by him at his will.