Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, August 9th, 2025
the Week of Proper 13 / Ordinary 18
the Week of Proper 13 / Ordinary 18
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Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Titus 3:9
He Put Our Lives Together Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It's obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off. As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I've decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them. Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives. All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you.
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Bible Study Resources
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.
But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.
King James Version (1611)
But auoyd foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and striuings about the lawe; for they are vnprofitable and vaine.
But auoyd foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and striuings about the lawe; for they are vnprofitable and vaine.
King James Version
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
English Standard Version
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
New American Standard Bible
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless.
New Century Version
But stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone.
But stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Legacy Standard Bible
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and conflicts about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and conflicts about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Berean Standard Bible
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
Contemporary English Version
But don't have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
But don't have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
Complete Jewish Bible
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile.
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile.
Darby Translation
But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the law, shun; for they are unprofitable and vain.
But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the law, shun; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Easy-to-Read Version
Stay away from those who have foolish arguments, who talk about useless family histories, or who make trouble and fight about what the Law of Moses teaches. These things are useless and will not help anyone.
Stay away from those who have foolish arguments, who talk about useless family histories, or who make trouble and fight about what the Law of Moses teaches. These things are useless and will not help anyone.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But stay foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and brawlings about the Lawe: for they are vnprofitable and vaine.
But stay foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and brawlings about the Lawe: for they are vnprofitable and vaine.
George Lamsa Translation
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and the theological arguments of the scribes, for they are unprofitable and vain.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and the theological arguments of the scribes, for they are unprofitable and vain.
Good News Translation
But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless.
But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless.
Lexham English Bible
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and contentions and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and fruitless.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and contentions and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and fruitless.
Literal Translation
But keep back from foolish questionings and genealogies and arguments and quarrels of law, for they are unprofitable and vain.
But keep back from foolish questionings and genealogies and arguments and quarrels of law, for they are unprofitable and vain.
Amplified Bible
But avoid foolish and ill-informed and stupid controversies and genealogies and dissensions and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless.
But avoid foolish and ill-informed and stupid controversies and genealogies and dissensions and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless.
American Standard Version
but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Bible in Basic English
But have nothing to do with foolish questionings, and lists of generations, and fights and arguments about the law; for they are of no profit and foolish.
But have nothing to do with foolish questionings, and lists of generations, and fights and arguments about the law; for they are of no profit and foolish.
Hebrew Names Version
but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
International Standard Version
But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law. These things are useless and worthless.1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:14,23; Titus 1:14;">[xr]
But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law. These things are useless and worthless.1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:14,23; Titus 1:14;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
But from foolish disputations, and from tales of genealogies, and from contentions, and strifes of the sophree [fn] withdraw; for profit is not in them, and they are vain.
But from foolish disputations, and from tales of genealogies, and from contentions, and strifes of the sophree [fn] withdraw; for profit is not in them, and they are vain.
Murdock Translation
But foolish questions, and stories of genealogies, and the disputes and contests of the scribes, avoid: for there is no profit in them, and they are vain.
But foolish questions, and stories of genealogies, and the disputes and contests of the scribes, avoid: for there is no profit in them, and they are vain.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But foolishe questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and striuinges about the lawe, auoyde: for they are vnprofitable and vayne.
But foolishe questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and striuinges about the lawe, auoyde: for they are vnprofitable and vayne.
English Revised Version
but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
World English Bible
but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Weymouth's New Testament
But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees and discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless and vain.
But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees and discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless and vain.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And eschewe thou foltische questiouns, and genologies, and stryues, and fiytyngis of the lawe; for tho ben vnprofitable and veyn.
And eschewe thou foltische questiouns, and genologies, and stryues, and fiytyngis of the lawe; for tho ben vnprofitable and veyn.
Update Bible Version
but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Webster's Bible Translation
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
New English Translation
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty.
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty.
New King James Version
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
New Living Translation
Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
New Life Bible
Do not argue with people about foolish questions and about the Law. Do not spend time talking about all of your early fathers. This does not help anyone and it is of no use.
Do not argue with people about foolish questions and about the Law. Do not spend time talking about all of your early fathers. This does not help anyone and it is of no use.
New Revised Standard
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strife, and contentions about matters of law, avoid, for they are unprofitable and vain.
But, foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strife, and contentions about matters of law, avoid, for they are unprofitable and vain.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law. For they are unprofitable and vain.
But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law. For they are unprofitable and vain.
Revised Standard Version
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Folisshe questions and genealogies and braulinges and stryfe aboute the lawe avoyde for they are vnproffitable and superfluous.
Folisshe questions and genealogies and braulinges and stryfe aboute the lawe avoyde for they are vnproffitable and superfluous.
Young's Literal Translation
and foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about law, stand away from -- for they are unprofitable and vain.
and foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about law, stand away from -- for they are unprofitable and vain.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
As for folish questions, and genealogies, and braulynges and stryuynges aboute ye lawe, auoyde the, for they are vnprofitable and vayne.
As for folish questions, and genealogies, and braulynges and stryuynges aboute ye lawe, auoyde the, for they are vnprofitable and vayne.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but avoid frivolous enquiries about genealogies, and vexatious disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
but avoid frivolous enquiries about genealogies, and vexatious disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't get your thumb caught in the dally of silly arguments about pedigrees or whether we should follow Jewish customs. These talks are absolutely useless and a complete waste of time.
Don't get your thumb caught in the dally of silly arguments about pedigrees or whether we should follow Jewish customs. These talks are absolutely useless and a complete waste of time.
Contextual Overview
9He Put Our Lives Together Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It's obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off. As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I've decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them. Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives. All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you. 10He Put Our Lives Together Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It's obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off. As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I've decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them. Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives. All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you. 11He Put Our Lives Together Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It's obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off. 12As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I've decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them. 14 Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives. 15 All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
avoid: Titus 1:14, 1 Timothy 1:3-7, 1 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 2:23
unprofitable: Job 15:3, 1 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 2 Timothy 2:14
Reciprocal: Mark 7:7 - in vain Acts 18:15 - a question Romans 2:8 - contentious 1 Corinthians 3:12 - wood 1 Timothy 1:4 - endless 1 Timothy 1:6 - turned 1 Timothy 6:4 - words 1 Timothy 6:20 - avoiding 2 Timothy 2:16 - shun
Cross-References
Genesis 3:12
The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it." God said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"
The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it." God said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"
Genesis 3:13
"The serpent seduced me," she said, "and I ate."
"The serpent seduced me," she said, "and I ate."
Genesis 3:17
He told the Man: "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree That I commanded you not to eat from, ‘Don't eat from this tree,' The very ground is cursed because of you; getting food from the ground Will be as painful as having babies is for your wife; you'll be working in pain all your life long. The ground will sprout thorns and weeds, you'll get your food the hard way, Planting and tilling and harvesting, sweating in the fields from dawn to dusk, Until you return to that ground yourself, dead and buried; you started out as dirt, you'll end up dirt."
He told the Man: "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree That I commanded you not to eat from, ‘Don't eat from this tree,' The very ground is cursed because of you; getting food from the ground Will be as painful as having babies is for your wife; you'll be working in pain all your life long. The ground will sprout thorns and weeds, you'll get your food the hard way, Planting and tilling and harvesting, sweating in the fields from dawn to dusk, Until you return to that ground yourself, dead and buried; you started out as dirt, you'll end up dirt."
Genesis 3:20
The Man, known as Adam, named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the living.
The Man, known as Adam, named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the living.
Genesis 3:21
God made leather clothing for Adam and his wife and dressed them.
God made leather clothing for Adam and his wife and dressed them.
Genesis 4:9
God said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "How should I know? Am I his babysitter?"
God said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "How should I know? Am I his babysitter?"
Genesis 11:5
God came down to look over the city and the tower those people had built.
God came down to look over the city and the tower those people had built.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But avoid foolish questions,.... Such as were started in the schools of the Jews; see 2 Timothy 2:23
and genealogies; of their elders, Rabbins, and doctors, by whom their traditions are handed down from one to another, in fixing which they greatly laboured; see 1 Timothy 1:4 and contentions and strivings about the law; the rites and ceremonies of it, and about the sense of it, and its various precepts, as litigated in the schools of Hillell and Shammai, the one giving it one way, and the other another; and what one declared to be free according to the law, the other declared forbidden; which occasioned great contentions and quarrels between the followers of the one, and of the other, as both the Misna and Talmud show: and agreeably to this sense, the Syriac version renders it, "the contentions and strifes of the scribes"; the Jewish doctors, who were some on the side of Hillell, and others on the side of Shammai; as well as went into parties and strifes among themselves, and oftentimes about mere trifles; things of no manner of importance; wherefore it follows,
for they are unprofitable and vain; empty things, of no manner of use, to inform the judgment, improve the mind, or influence the life and conversation.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
But avoid foolish questions and genealogies - See the 1 Timothy 1:4 note; 2 Timothy 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:23 notes.
And contentions, and strivings about the law - Such as the Jews started about various matters connected with the law - about meats and drinks, etc.; the notes at 1 Timothy 1:4; compare the notes at Acts 18:15.
For they are unprofitable and vain - - They disturb and embitter the feelings; they lead to the indulgence of a bad spirit; they are often difficult to be settled, and are of no practical importance if they could be determined. The same thing might be said of multitudes of things about which men dispute so earnestly now.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies — In these the Jews particularly delighted; they abounded in the most frivolous questions; and, as they had little piety themselves, they were solicitous to show that they had descended from godly ancestors.
Of their frivolous questions, and the answers given to them by the wisest and most reputable of their rabbins, the following is a specimen:-
Rabbi Hillel was asked: Why have the Babylonians round heads? To which he answered: This is a difficult question, but I will tell the reason: Their heads are round because they have but little wit.
Q. Why are the eyes of the Tarmudians so soft?
A. Because they inhabit a sandy country.
Q. Why have the Africans broad feet?
A. Because they inhabit a marshy country. See more in Schoettgen.
But ridiculous and trifling as these are, they are little in comparison to those solemnly proposed and most gravely answered by those who are called the schoolmen. Here is a specimen, which I leave the reader to translate:-
Utrum essent excrementa in Paradiso? Utrum sancti resurgent cum intestinis? Utrum, si deipara fuisset vir, potuisset esse naturalis parens Christi?
These, with many thousands of others, of equal use to religion and common sense, may be found in their writings. See the Summa of Thomas Aquinas, passim. Might not the Spirit have these religious triflers in view, rather than the less ridiculous Jews? 1 Timothy 1:4; "2 Timothy 2:23".
Contentions, and strivings about the law — Of legal contentions, and different and conflicting decisions about the meaning of particular rites and ceremonies, the Talmud is full.
