⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, ^(A)does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching ^(B)has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, ^(C)do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹ for whoever greets him ^(D)takes part in his wicked works.

Final Instructions and Greetings

¹⁷ I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles ^(A)contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; ^(B)avoid them. ¹⁸ For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but ^(C)their own appetites,^[a] and ^(D)by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

¹² And what I am doing I will continue to do, ^(A)in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. ¹³ For such men are ^(B)false apostles, ^(C)deceitful workmen, ^(D)disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as ^(E)an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as ^(F)servants of righteousness. ^(G)Their end will correspond to their deeds.

⁹ He must ^(A)hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in ^(B)sound^[a] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, ^(A)after warning him once and then twice, ^(B)have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.