I would lay out my case ¹  before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments ¹  that sound reasonable. ² 

Job ¹  has not directed ²  his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. ³ 

and every arrogant obstacle ¹  that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey ²  Christ.

How painful ¹  are honest words! But ²  what does your reproof ³  prove? ⁴ 

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

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

Look, I waited for you to speak; ¹  I listened closely to your wise thoughts, ² while you were searching for words.

Reply to me, if you can; set your arguments ¹  in order before me and take your stand!

I am like a man who cannot hear and is incapable of arguing his defense. ¹ 

“Present your argument,” says the Lord. “Produce your evidence,” ¹  says Jacob’s king. ² 

for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, ¹  but are made powerful by God ²  for tearing down strongholds. ³  We tear down arguments ⁴ 

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

Now I was paying you close attention, ¹  yet ²  there was no one proving Job wrong, ³  not one of you was answering his statements!

he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions,

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

“Listen now to my argument, ¹  and be attentive to my lips’ contentions. ² 

Will you speak wickedly ¹  on God’s behalf? ²  Will you speak deceitfully for him?

Does he argue ¹  with useless ²  talk, with words that have no value in them?

With pride ¹  comes only ²  contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised. ³