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.
O LORD,my strengthand my stronghold,And my refugein the dayof distress,To You the nationswill comeFrom the endsof the earthand say,"Our fathershave inheritednothingbut falsehood,Futilityand thingsof noprofit."
"Has a nationchangedgodsWhen they were not gods?But My peoplehave changedtheir gloryFor that which does not profit.
"The priestsdid not say,'Whereis the LORD?'And those who handlethe lawdid not knowMe; The rulersalso transgressedagainst Me, And the prophetsprophesiedby BaalAnd walkedafterthings that did not profit.
"Behold,I am againstthose who have prophesiedfalse~dreams,"declaresthe LORD,"and relatedthem and ledMy peopleastrayby their falsehoodsand recklessboasting;yet I did not sendthem or commandthem, nordo they furnishthispeoplethe slightestbenefit,"declaresthe LORD.
"For you will nolongerrememberthe oracleof the LORD,becauseeveryman'sown wordwill becomethe oracle,and you have pervertedthe wordsof the livingGod,the LORDof hosts,our God.
"Behold,you are trustingin deceptivewordsto noavail.
"Whatprofitis the idolwhenits makerhas carvedit, [Or] an image,a teacherof falsehood?For [its] makertrustsin his [own] handiworkWhen he fashionsspeechlessidols.
"For whatwill it profita manifhe gainsthe wholeworldand forfeitshis soul?Orwhatwill a mangivein exchangefor his soul?
and said,"You who are fullof alldeceitand fraud,you sonof the devil,you enemyof allrighteousness,will you not ceaseto make crookedthe straightwaysof the Lord?
"Sincewe have heardthat someof our numberto whomwe gavenoinstructionhave disturbedyou with [their] words,unsettlingyour souls,
Nowacceptthe one who is weakin faith,[but] not for [the purpose of] passing judgmenton his opinions.
whichis [really] not another;onlythere are somewho are disturbingyou and wantto distortthe gospelof Christ.
SothisI say,and affirmtogetherwith the Lord,that you walkno longerjustas the Gentilesalsowalk,in the futilityof their mind,
Finallythen,brethren,we requestand exhortyou in the LordJesus,that as you receivedfrom us [instruction] as to howyou oughtto walkand pleaseGod(justas you actuallydo walk),that you excelstill more.
Nowwe commandyou, brethren,in the nameof our LordJesusChrist,that you keep awayfrom everybrotherwho leadsan unrulylifeand not accordingto the traditionwhichyou receivedfrom us.
norto pay attentionto mythsand endlessgenealogies,whichgive riseto mere speculationratherthan[furthering] the administrationof Godwhich is by faith.
For some men,strayingfrom these things,have turned asideto fruitless discussion,
for bodilydisciplineis only of littleprofit,but godlinessis profitablefor all things,since it holdspromisefor the presentlifeand [also] for the [life] to come.
I solemnly chargeyou in the presenceof Godand of ChristJesusand of [His] chosenangels,to maintainthese[principles] withoutbias,doingnothingin a [spirit of] partiality.
I chargeyou in the presenceof God,who gives lifeto all things,and of ChristJesus,who testifiedthe goodconfessionbeforePontiusPilate,
For thisreasonI remindyou to kindle afreshthe giftof Godwhichis in you throughthe layingon of my hands.
But avoidworldly[and] empty chatter,for it will leadto furtherungodliness,
But refusefoolishand ignorantspeculations,knowingthat they producequarrels.
I solemnly charge[you] in the presenceof Godand of ChristJesus,who is to judgethe livingand the dead,and by His appearingand His kingdom:
Remindthem to be subjectto rulers,to authorities,to be obedient,to be readyfor everygooddeed,
Do not be carried awayby variedand strangeteachings;for it is goodfor the heartto be strengthenedby grace,not by foods,throughwhichthosewho were so occupiedwere not benefited.
I considerit right,as longas I amin this[earthly] dwelling,to stiryou up by wayof reminder,
"You must not turnaside,for [then you would go] afterfutilethingswhichcan not profitor deliver,becausethey are futile.
