² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.^(A)

¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity,^(A) they have given themselves over^(B) to sensuality^(C) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,^(A) but their own appetites.^(B) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive^(C) the minds of naive people.

¹⁴ They are demonic spirits^(A) that perform signs,^(B) and they go out to the kings of the whole world,^(C) to gather them for the battle^(D) on the great day^(E) of God Almighty.

False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 But there were also false prophets^(A) among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.^(B) They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord^(C) who bought them^(D)—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved conduct^(E) and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed^(F) these teachers will exploit you^(G) with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.