¹⁸ Let no one ^(A)disqualify you, ^(B)insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, ^(C)going on in detail about visions,^{[a] (D)}puffed up without reason by ^(E)his sensuous mind,

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by ^(A)philosophy and ^(B)empty deceit, according to ^(C)human tradition, according to the ^(D)elemental spirits^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.

Test the Spirits

4 Beloved, ^(A)do not believe every spirit, but ^(B)test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for ^(C)many ^(D)false prophets ^(E)have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: ^(F)every spirit that confesses that ^(G)Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, ^(A)without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

²³ These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in ^(A)promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are ^(B)of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

⁸ I, ^(A)John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, ^(B)I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, ^9 (C)but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those ^(D)who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now ^(A)the Spirit expressly says that ^(B)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to ^(C)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

⁷ For ^(A)many deceivers ^(B)have gone out into the world, ^(C)those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch yourselves, ^(D)so that you may not lose what we^[a] have worked for, but ^(E)may win a full reward. ⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, ^(F)does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching ^(G)has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, ^(H)do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹ for whoever greets him ^(I)takes part in his wicked works.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(A)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not ^(B)the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, ^(C)demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.