But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.
profane and old wives’ fables: These fables are the same "fables and endless genealogies" of 1:4 which are not even worthy of discussion. The Amplified Bible’s rendering of this verse shows the nature of these fables: "But refuse and avoid irreverent legends--profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers’ tales--and silly myths and express your disapproval of them."