⁶ If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices^(A) you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods”^(B) (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known,

² If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of his covenant,^{(A) 3} and contrary to my command^(B) has worshiped other gods,^(C) bowing down to them or to the sun^(D) or the moon or the stars in the sky,^{(E) 4} and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true^(F) and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,^{(G) 5} take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.^{(H) 6} On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.^{(I) 7} The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death,^(J) and then the hands of all the people.^(K) You must purge the evil^(L) from among you.

²⁶ I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.^{(A) 27} As for you, the anointing^(B) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things^(C) and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.^(D)

False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 But there were also false prophets^(A) among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.^(B) They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord^(C) who bought them^(D)—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(A) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(B) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^(C)