²³But foolish and unlearned ^fquestions ^gavoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. ²⁴And ^hthe servant of the Lord must not strive; but be ⁱgentle unto all men, ^kapt to teach, ^||^lpatient, ²⁵^mIn meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; ⁿif God peradventure will give them repentance ^oto the acknowledging of the truth;

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Footnotes

fSee 1 Tim. 1:4. So ver. 16.
gSee 1 Tim. 4:7.
hSo 1 Tim. 3:3. Tit. 3:2. See James 1:1.
k 1 Tim. 3:2. So ver. 2. Tit. 1:9.
||Or, forbearing.
lSo Wisd. 2:19.
m Gal. 6:1. Eph. 4:2. ol. 3:12:1 Tim. 6:11. Tit. 3:2. 1 Pet. 3:15.
nSo Acts 8:22. See Dan. 4:27.
o 1 Tim. 2:4 (Gk.). ch. 3:7 (Gk.). Tit. 1:1. Heb. 10:26 (Gk.).

Cross references

i 1 Thess. 2:7.

Public Domain

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

CSBChristian Standard Bible

But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.

NLTNew Living Translation

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

But avoid foolish and uninformed controversies, because you know that they produce quarrels. And the slave of the Lord must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, skillful in teaching, tolerant, correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth,