²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

⁹ Those who want to get rich^(A) fall into temptation and a trap^(B) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money^(C) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith^(D) and pierced themselves with many griefs.^(E)

¹⁴ With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce^(A) the unstable;^(B) they are experts in greed^(C)—an accursed brood!^{(D) 15} They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam^(E) son of Bezer,^[a] who loved the wages of wickedness.

³ In their greed^(A) these teachers will exploit you^(B) with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(A)—has any inheritance^(B) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](C) 6} Let no one deceive you^(D) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(E) comes on those who are disobedient.^(F)

⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?^(A) Do not be deceived:^(B) Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers^(C) nor men who have sex with men^[a](D)

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor^(A) and to present offerings.

² When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. ³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent^(A) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.