Avoid it, do not go on it; turn away from it, and go on. ¹ 

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

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, ¹  quarrels, and fights about the law, ²  because they are useless and empty.

They will maintain the outward appearance ¹  of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. ² 

They must not slander ¹  anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.

O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid ¹  the profane chatter and absurdities ²  of so-called “knowledge.” ³ 

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹  to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!

Instruction ¹  from the wise ²  is like ³  a life-giving fountain, ⁴  to turn ⁵  a person ⁶  from deadly snares. ⁷ 

The fear of the Lord ¹  is like ²  a life-giving fountain, ³  to turn ⁴  people ⁵  from deadly snares. ⁶ 

Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities ¹  but also because of your conscience. ² 

Stay away from every form of evil.

Remove perverse speech ¹  from your mouth; ²  keep devious talk far from your lips. ³ 

But reject foolish and ignorant ¹  controversies, because you know they breed infighting. ² 

Because of my condition, ¹  even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance; ²  my neighbors stand far away. ³ 

A wise person is cautious ¹  and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint ²  and is overconfident. ³ 

The path of life is upward ¹  for the wise person, ²  to ³  keep him from going downward to Sheol. ⁴ 

Then I ¹  said, “The thing that you are doing is wrong! ²  Should you not conduct yourselves ³  in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies?

All the relatives ¹  of a poor person hate him; ²  how much more do his friends avoid him – he pursues them ³  with words, but they do not respond. ⁴ 

But because of immoralities, each man should have relations with ¹  his own wife and each woman with ²  her own husband.

Remind people ¹  of these things and solemnly charge them ²  before the Lord ³  not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. ⁴