⁵ and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.^[a](A)

⁵ holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

³ And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced against them long ago, has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep.^(A)

¹¹ they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach.^(A)

¹⁵ To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.^{(A) 16} They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions; they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.^(B)

⁸ As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth.^(A)

⁶ Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment,^(A)

Final Instructions

¹⁷ I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who create dissensions and hindrances, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them.^{(A) 18} For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites,^[a] and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.^(B)

³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.^(A)

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in you stop them.^[a](A)