For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

I think it only right for me to stir up your memory of these matters as long as I am still alive.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you

In the Lord's name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless

Finally, our friends, you learned from us how you should live in order to please God. This is, of course, the way you have been living. And now we beg and urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to do even more.

Our friends, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from all believers who are living a lazy life and who do not follow the instructions that we gave them.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the holy angels I solemnly call upon you to obey these instructions without showing any prejudice or favor to anyone in anything you do.

Before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who firmly professed his faith before Pontius Pilate, I command you

Keep away from profane and foolish discussions, which only drive people farther away from God.

But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels.

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.

Tell them to give up those legends and those long lists of ancestors, which only produce arguments; they do not serve God's plan, which is known by faith.

Some people have turned away from these and have lost their way in foolish discussions.

is swollen with pride and knows nothing. He has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words, and this brings on jealousy, disputes, insults, evil suspicions,

and constant arguments from people whose minds do not function and who no longer have the truth. They think that religion is a way to become rich.

But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless.

You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.

Don't go after false gods; they cannot help you or save you, for they are not real.

The priests did not ask, 'Where is the LORD?' My own priests did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me; the prophets spoke in the name of Baal and worshiped useless idols.

No other nation has ever changed its gods, even though they were not real. But my people have exchanged me, the God who has brought them honor, for gods that can do nothing for them.

"Look, you put your trust in deceitful words.

LORD, you are the one who protects me and gives me strength; you help me in times of trouble. Nations will come to you from the ends of the earth and say, "Our ancestors had nothing but false gods, nothing but useless idols.

Listen to what I, the LORD, say! I am against the prophets who tell their dreams that are full of lies. They tell these dreams and lead my people astray with their lies and their boasting. I did not send them or order them to go, and they are of no help at all to the people. I, the LORD, have spoken."

What's the use of an idol? It is only something that a human being has made, and it tells you nothing but lies. What good does it do for its maker to trust it---a god that can't even talk!

Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future.

Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you from the right way. It is good to receive inner strength from God's grace, and not by obeying rules about foods; those who obey these rules have not been helped by them.

So they must no longer use the words 'the LORD's burden,' because if any of them do, I will make my message a real burden to them. The people have perverted the words of their God, the living God, the LORD Almighty.

and said, "You son of the Devil! You are the enemy of everything that is good. You are full of all kinds of evil tricks, and you always keep trying to turn the Lord's truths into lies!

We have heard that some who went from our group have troubled and upset you by what they said; they had not, however, received any instruction from us.

Actually, there is no "other gospel," but I say this because there are some people who are upsetting you and trying to change the gospel of Christ.

You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.