Periistemi describes standing around someone or avoiding matters such as empty talk and disputes.

The attested uses divide evenly between people standing around someone and turning away from unprofitable speech or disputes: a crowd stands around in John 11:42 and accusers surround a man in Acts 25:7, while the second-person forms occur in cautions concerning empty talk and controversies in 2 Timothy 2:16 and Titus 3:9.

1. Stand around or surround a person · common

   In Acts 25:7, the third-person aorist active plural form occurs as people gather around a man while bringing accusations; the APB renders the scene, "stood around him." In John 11:42, the perfect active participle describes the crowd present around the speaker; the APB renders "the crowd standing around."

   Acts 25:7John 11:42
2. Avoid contentious or empty matters · common

   In 2 Timothy 2:16, the second-person present middle form occurs with profane empty talk that leads to greater ungodliness; the APB renders the clause, "avoid profane empty talk." In Titus 3:9, the same form occurs with foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law; the APB renders "avoid," describing them as unprofitable and futile.

   2 Timothy 2:16Titus 3:9

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the physical occurrences with "stood around" and "standing around," while it renders the two cautionary clauses with "avoid." These renderings confirm the verse-level contexts rather than supplying a precise translation in every instance.