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Remind them of these things, and 29charge them before Goda30not to quarrel about words, 31which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,b a worker 32who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
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But 33avoid 34irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
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and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are 35Hymenaeus and Philetus,
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who have swerved from the truth, 36saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
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But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 37"The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone 38who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
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Now in 39a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, 40some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
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Therefore, 41if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,c he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, 42ready for every good work.
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So 43flee 44youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with 45those who call on the Lord 46from a pure heart.
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Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant 47controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
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And 48the Lord's servantd must not be quarrelsome but 49kind to everyone, 50able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
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correcting his opponents 51with gentleness. God 52may perhaps grant them repentance 53leading to a knowledge of the truth,
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and they may come to their senses and escape from 54the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.