arguments

¹⁶But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety.

¹⁴Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners.

¹A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs up fury.

²³But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife. ²⁴For the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patient, ²⁵correcting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truth,

⁹But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, as well as arguments against the law. For these are useless and empty.

¹⁴And do everything without murmuring or hesitation. ¹⁵So may you be without blame, simple sons of God, without reproof, in the midst of a depraved and perverse nation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, ¹⁶holding to the Word of Life, until my glory in the day of Christ. For I have not run in vain, nor have I labored in vain.

⁵and height that extols itself contrary to the wisdom of God, and leading every intellect into the captivity of obedience to Christ,

⁴then he is arrogant, knowing nothing, yet languishing amid the questions and quarrels of words. From these arise envy, contention, blasphemy, evil suspicions:

⁹It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with a contentious woman and in a shared house.

¹But accept those who are weak in faith, without disputing about ideas.

¹⁹You know this, my most beloved brothers. So let every man be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to anger.

²²A short-tempered man provokes quarrels. And whoever is easily angered is more likely to sin.

¹⁰Among the arrogant, there are always conflicts. But those who do everything with counsel are ruled by wisdom.

¹And a reed, similar to a staff, was given to me. And it was said to me: “Rise up and measure the temple of God, and those who are worshiping in it, and the altar. ²But the atrium, which is outside of the temple, set it aside and do not measure it, because it has been given over to the Gentiles. And they shall trample upon the Holy City for forty-two months. ³And I will present my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. ⁴These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing in the sight of the lord of the earth. ⁵And if anyone will want to harm them, fire shall go forth from their mouths, and it shall devour their enemies. And if anyone will want to wound them, so must he be slain. ⁶These have the power to close up the heavens, so that it may not rain during the days of their prophesying. And they have power over the waters, to convert them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of affliction as often as they will.