And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” ¹ 

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins.

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

You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed – not by perishable things like silver or gold,

If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.

“Men, why are you doing these things? We too are men, with human natures ¹  just like you! We are proclaiming the good news to you, so that you should turn ²  from these worthless ³  things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, ⁴  the sea, and everything that is in them.