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