¹⁸ Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, initiatory visions,^[a] puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking,^[b]

⁸ Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.^(A)

Testing the Spirits

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

⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

²³ These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.^[a]

Epilogue and Benediction

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

False Asceticism

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later^[a] times some will renounce^[b] the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,^(A)

⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!^{(A) 8} Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we^[a] have worked for but may receive a full reward.^{(B) 9} Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it,^[b] does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching^[c] has both the Father and the Son.^{(C) 10} If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive and welcome this person into your house,^{(D) 11} for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.^(E)

¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant and lie about the truth. ¹⁵ This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.^{(A) 16} For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.^(B)

³ But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure^[a] devotion to Christ.^(A)