³ And even if our gospel^(A) is veiled,^(B) it is veiled to those who are perishing.^{(C) 4} The god^(D) of this age^(E) has blinded^(F) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,^(G) who is the image of God.^(H)

¹⁰ Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.^(A)

¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last times^(A) there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”^{(B) 19} These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.^(C)