¹⁷ They ^(A)zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

¹³ For such ^(A)are false apostles, ^(B)deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into ^(C)an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, ^(D)whose end will be according to their works.

¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord ^[a]Jesus Christ, but ^(A)their own belly, and ^(B)by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

³ By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction ^[a]does not slumber.

⁸ You are already full! ^(A)You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!

² For I bear them witness ^(A)that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

¹⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of ^[a]hell as yourselves.

Deceptions of False Teachers

¹⁸ For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who ^[a]have actually escaped from those who live in error.

²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

¹² As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, ^(A)only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.