Dealing With False Teachers

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;^(A) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do 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.^{(B) 16} Avoid godless chatter,^(C) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(D) and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^(E) and they destroy the faith of some.^{(F) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^(G) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^(H) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^(I) must turn away from wickedness.”

¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^{(A) 13} while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,^(B) deceiving and being deceived.^{(C) 14} But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(D) 15} and how from infancy^(E) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(F) which are able to make you wise^(G) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(H) and is useful for teaching,^(I) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(J) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](K) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(L)