¹² so that,

¹¹ “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly^(A) they turned their backs^(B) and covered their ears.^(C)

⁴³ Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil,^(A) and you want to carry out your father’s desires.^(B) He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.^(C)

²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(A) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(B) who has taken them captive to do his will.

¹¹ For you this whole vision^(E) is nothing but words sealed^(F) in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I can’t; it is sealed.” ¹² Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I don’t know how to read.”

Warning Against Falling Away^(A)

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.^(A)