he is conceited[and] understandsnothing;but he has a morbid interestin controversial questionsand disputes about words,out of whichariseenvy,strife,abusive language,evilsuspicions,
Thereis one who pretendsto be rich,but hasnothing;[Another] pretendsto be poor,but has greatwealth.
[Like] cloudsand windwithoutrainIs a manwho boastsof his giftsfalsely.
Do you seea manwisein his own eyes?There is morehopefor a foolthanfor him.
"Behold,you fastfor contentionand strifeand to strikewith a wickedfist.You do not fastlike [you do] todayto makeyour voiceheardon high.
And when Pauland Barnabashadgreatdissensionand debatewith them, [the brethren] determinedthat Pauland Barnabasand someothersof them should goup to Jerusalemto the apostlesand eldersconcerningthisissue.
but ifthere are questionsaboutwordsand namesand your own law,look afterit yourselves;I amunwillingto be a judgeof thesematters."
Nowthere was a mannamedSimon,who formerlywas practicing magicin the cityand astonishingthe peopleof Samaria,claimingto be someonegreat;
Be of the samemindtowardone another;do not be haughtyin mind,but associatewith the lowly.Do not be wisein your own estimation.
Let us behaveproperlyas in the day,not in carousingand drunkenness,not in sexual promiscuityand sensuality,not in strifeand jealousy.
Nowacceptthe one who is weakin faith,[but] not for [the purpose of] passing judgmenton his opinions.
but to thosewho are selfishly ambitiousand do not obeythe truth,but obeyunrighteousness,wrathand indignation.
But ifoneis inclinedto be contentious,we havenootherpractice,norhave the churchesof God.
For, in the firstplace, when you come togetheras a church,I hearthat divisionsexistamongyou; and in partI believeit.
Let no mandeceivehimself.Ifany manamongyou thinksthat he is wisein thisage,he must becomefoolish,sothat he may becomewise.
for you are stillfleshly.For sincethere is jealousyand strifeamongyou, are you not fleshly,and are you not walkinglikemere men?
For you tolerateit ifanyoneenslavesyou, anyonedevoursyou, anyonetakesadvantage of you, anyoneexaltshimself, anyonehitsyou in the face.
But ifyou biteand devouroneanother,take carethat you are not consumedby one another.
Let us not becomeboastful,challengingoneanother,envyingone another.
For ifanyonethinkshe is somethingwhen he is nothing,he deceiveshimself.
Some,to be sure,are preachingChristevenfrom envyand strife,but somealsofrom good will;
Doall thingswithoutgrumblingordisputing;
Do nothingfrom selfishnessorempty conceit,but with humility of mindregardone anotheras more importantthan yourselves;
Let no onekeep defrauding you of your prizeby delightingin self-abasementand the worshipof the angels,taking his standon [visions] he has seen,inflatedwithout causeby his fleshlymind,
who opposesand exaltshimself aboveeveryso-calledgodorobject of worship,sothat he takes his seatin the templeof God,displayinghimselfas beingGod.
norto pay attentionto mythsand endlessgenealogies,whichgive riseto mere speculationratherthan[furthering] the administrationof Godwhich is by faith.
wantingto be teachers of the Law,even though they do not understandeitherwhatthey are sayingorthe matters aboutwhichthey make confident assertions.
[and] not a new convert,sothat he will not become conceitedand fallinto the condemnationincurred by the devil.
Remind[them] of these things,and solemnly charge[them] in the presenceof Godnot to wrangle about words,which is useless[and leads] to the ruinof the hearers.
But refusefoolishand ignorantspeculations,knowingthat they producequarrels.
treacherous,reckless,conceited,lovers of pleasureratherthanlovers of God,
But avoidfoolishcontroversiesand genealogiesand strifeand disputesabout the Law,for they are unprofitableand worthless.
[This] you know,my belovedbrethren.But everyonemust be quickto hear,slowto speak[and] slowto anger;
But these,likeunreasoninganimals,bornas creatures of instinctto be capturedand killed,revilingwherethey have no knowledge,will in the destructionof thosecreatures alsobe destroyed,
For speakingout arrogant[words] of vanitythey enticeby fleshlydesires,by sensuality,thosewho barelyescapefrom the ones who livein error,
But these menrevilethe things whichthey do not understand;and the things whichthey knowby instinct,likeunreasoninganimals,by these thingsthey are destroyed.
Theseare grumblers,finding fault,followingaftertheir [own] lusts;they speakarrogantly,flatteringpeoplefor the sakeof [gaining an] advantage.
Becauseyou say,"I amrich,and have become wealthy,and haveneedof nothing,"and you do not knowthat you are wretchedand miserableand poorand blindand naked,
