²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind.^(A) Your enemy the devil prowls around^(B) like a roaring lion^(C) looking for someone to devour.

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.

⁹ The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent^(A) called the devil,^(B) or Satan,^(C) who leads the whole world astray.^(D) He was hurled to the earth,^(E) and his angels with him.

¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God^(A) and that no bitter root^(B) grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples^(A) after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years^(B) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.^(C)

⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.^(A)

³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest^(A) is the end of the age,^(B) and the harvesters are angels.^(C)

⁴ This matter arose because some false believers^(A) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on^(B) the freedom^(C) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.