⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(A) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world^(B) rather than on Christ.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted^(A) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter^(B) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

⁶ Let no one deceive you^(A) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(B) comes on those who are disobedient.^(C)

True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets.^(A) They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.^(B)

⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(A)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(B) by them all over again?^(C)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(A) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(B) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^(C)

¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise^(A) by the standards of this age,^(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness^(C) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”^[a];^(D)

¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,^(A) deceiving and being deceived.^(B)

²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.^{(A) 22} Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools^(B)