2 Timothy 2:16

2:16 But avoid profane chatter, ¹  because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, ² 

2 Timothy 2:23

2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant ³  controversies, because you know they breed infighting. ⁴ 

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¹ sn Profane chatter was apparently a characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus (cf. 1 Tim 1:3-4; 4:7; 6:20).

² tn Grk “they [who engage in it] will progress even more in ungodliness.”

³ tn Or “uninstructed,” “silly.”

⁴ tn Or “fights,” although this could suggest weapons and blows, whereas in the present context this is not the primary focus. Although “quarrel” is frequently used here (NAB, NIV, NRSV) it may be understood to refer to a relatively minor disagreement.