¹⁶ Don’t be deceived,^(A) my dear brothers and sisters.^(B)

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters,^(A) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak^(B) and slow to become angry,

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^(A)

⁷ Do not be deceived:^(A) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.^(B)

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.

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.^(A)

⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^(A)

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:^(A) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world^(B) to be rich in faith^(C) and to inherit the kingdom^(D) he promised those who love him?^(E)

¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^(A) and they destroy the faith of some.^(B)

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,^(A) my joy and crown, stand firm^(B) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!