³ By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction ^[a]does not slumber.

¹⁷ For we are not, as ^[a]so many, ^(A)peddling^[b] the word of God; but as ^(B)of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

⁵ For ^(A)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a ^[a]cloak for covetousness—^(B)God is witness.

^5 [a]useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ^[b]From ^(A)such withdraw yourself.

¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord ^[a]Jesus Christ, but ^(A)their own belly, and ^(B)by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word^(A)

¹⁶ For we did not follow ^(B)cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the ^(C)power and ^(D)coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were ^(E)eyewitnesses of His majesty.

¹¹ whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, ^(A)for the sake of dishonest gain.

¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? ¹⁸ I urged Titus, and sent our ^(A)brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?