2 Timothy 2:14–26

Dealing With False Teachers

¹⁴Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;^r it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^{s 16}Avoid godless chatter,^t because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^u and Philetus, ¹⁸who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^v and they destroy the faith of some.^{w 19}Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^x sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^y and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^z must turn away from wickedness.”

²⁰In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.^{a 21}Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.^b

²²Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^c and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^d out of a pure heart.^{e 23}Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.^{f 24}And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^{g 25}Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{h 26}and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,ⁱ who has taken them captive to do his will.