¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,^(A) but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.^(B)

² By this gospel you are saved,^(A) if you hold firmly^(B) to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised,^(A) our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.^(A)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(A) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(B) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^(C)

4 The Spirit^(A) clearly says that in later times^(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits^(C) and things taught by demons.

⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;^(A) rather, train yourself to be godly.^(B)

²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(A) who raised him from the dead^(B) and glorified him,^(C) and so your faith and hope^(D) are in God.

³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days^(A) scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.^{(B) 4} They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?^(C) Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”^(D)