and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These things promote controversies rather than God's ongoing purpose, which involves faith.

Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion.

These include Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme.

If you continue to point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of the Messiah Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the healthy teaching that you have followed closely.

These are the things you must insist on and teach.

Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

Pay close attention to your life and your teaching. Persevere in these things, because if you do so, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Continue to give these instructions, so that they may be blameless.

With God as my witness, as well as the Messiah Jesus and the chosen angels, I solemnly call on you to carry out these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.

Moreover, those who have believing masters should be respectful to them, because they are fellow believers. In fact, they must serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dear to them. These are the things you must teach and exhort.

But you, man of God, must flee from all these things. Instead, you must pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

to keep these commands stainlessly and blamelessly until the appearance of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.