⁸ Beware lest anyone ^[a]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to ^(A)the tradition of men, according to the ^(B)basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Guard the Faith

²⁰ O Timothy! ^(A)Guard what was committed to your trust, ^(B)avoiding the profane and ^[a]idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits^(A)

^15 (B)“Beware of false prophets, ^(C)who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

⁹ But now ^(A)after you have known God, or rather are known by God, ^(B)how is it that you turn again to ^(C)the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

^20 [a]Therefore, if you ^(A)died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, ^(B)why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

^18 (A)Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ^(B)“He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;

²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but ^(A)became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ^22 (B)Professing to be wise, they became fools,

⁹ Do not be carried ^[a]about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.