en_tn/2ti/02/14.md

them

Possible meanings: 1) "the teachers" (UDB); 2) "the people of the church"

before God

"in the presence of God" or "knowing that God is watching you and them"

not to quarrel about words

“not to argue over what words mean” or “not to say words that cause fights” or “not to say words meant to hurt others”

profits nothing

"does no one any good" or "useless"

ruining

The image is of the destruction of a building. Those who hear the quarreling stop respecting the Christian message. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)

those who listen

"those who hear."

present yourself approved to God

"present yourself to God as a person that he has proven to be worthy"

as a workman

"like a workman" or "like a worker"

handling correctly

"correctly explaining"