3 When I was going to Macedonia I urged you to remain there in Ephesus so that you could speak against those preaching a different message 4 and advise the believers not to worry about myths and endless genealogies which just result in useless speculations rather than them using their faith to advance God’s plans. 5 The outcome of such teaching should be demonstrating love coming from a pure heart, a clean conscience, and selfless faith. 6 Some others have deviated from that, which then results in useless talk—7 they want to be religious teachers but they don’t understand what they’re talking about or what they’re agreeing to.

8 But we know that the religious law can be good if someone is using it lawfully, 9 but other than that, we know that the law isn’t made for those who’ve been forgiven by God. The law was made for those who’re disobedient and out of control, those who ignore and disobey God, who don’t honour him but rather profane him, for those who would murder their parents or other people, 10 the sexually immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, those who falsely accuse others in court, and those doing anything else that is against the sound teaching 11 that’s part of the good message that honours the wonderful God and which was entrusted to me.