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A Workman Approved by God 14Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”Num. 16:5 (see Septuagint) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. Topics: life speech gossip vanity futility conversation apostasy edification trivia falsehood edify untruth chatter words_of_mouth idle_talk
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