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.
I solemnly charge[you] in the presenceof Godand of ChristJesus,who is to judgethe livingand the dead,and by His appearingand His kingdom:
Nowacceptthe one who is weakin faith,[but] not for [the purpose of] passing judgmenton his opinions.
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 solemnly chargeyou in the presenceof Godand of ChristJesusand of [His] chosenangels,to maintainthese[principles] withoutbias,doingnothingin a [spirit of] partiality.
"Sincewe have heardthat someof our numberto whomwe gavenoinstructionhave disturbedyou with [their] words,unsettlingyour souls,
I considerit right,as longas I amin this[earthly] dwelling,to stiryou up by wayof reminder,
I chargeyou in the presenceof God,who gives lifeto all things,and of ChristJesus,who testifiedthe goodconfessionbeforePontiusPilate,
Nowwe commandyou, brethren,in the nameof our LordJesusChrist,that you keep awayfrom everybrotherwho leadsan unrulylifeand not accordingto the traditionwhichyou receivedfrom us.
"Behold,you are trustingin deceptivewordsto noavail.
"You must not turnaside,for [then you would go] afterfutilethingswhichcan not profitor deliver,becausethey are futile.
But avoidworldly[and] empty chatter,for it will leadto furtherungodliness,
for bodilydisciplineis only of littleprofit,but godlinessis profitablefor all things,since it holdspromisefor the presentlifeand [also] for the [life] to come.
SothisI say,and affirmtogetherwith the Lord,that you walkno longerjustas the Gentilesalsowalk,in the futilityof their mind,
whichis [really] not another;onlythere are somewho are disturbingyou and wantto distortthe gospelof Christ.
and said,"You who are fullof alldeceitand fraud,you sonof the devil,you enemyof allrighteousness,will you not ceaseto make crookedthe straightwaysof the Lord?
"For whatwill it profita manifhe gainsthe wholeworldand forfeitshis soul?Orwhatwill a mangivein exchangefor his soul?
"Whatprofitis the idolwhenits makerhas carvedit, [Or] an image,a teacherof falsehood?For [its] makertrustsin his [own] handiworkWhen he fashionsspeechlessidols.
"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,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 thisreasonI remindyou to kindle afreshthe giftof Godwhichis in you throughthe layingon of my hands.
For some men,strayingfrom these things,have turned asideto fruitless discussion,
norto pay attentionto mythsand endlessgenealogies,whichgive riseto mere speculationratherthan[furthering] the administrationof Godwhich is by faith.
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.
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.
Remindthem to be subjectto rulers,to authorities,to be obedient,to be readyfor everygooddeed,
