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Final Instructions

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who create dissensions and hindrances, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them.(A)

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19 It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions.

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Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness(A) is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions,(B) and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.[a](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 6.5 Other ancient authorities add Withdraw yourself from such people

Warning against Idleness

Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they[a] received from us.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 3.6 Other ancient authorities read you

holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

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Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.8 Or spirits

Warning against False Teachers

I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different teachings(A)

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But because of false brothers and sisters secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us(A)

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Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!(A) Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for but may receive a full reward.(B) Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it,[b] does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching[c] has both the Father and the Son.(C) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive and welcome this person into your house,(D) 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 8 Other ancient authorities read you
  2. 9 Other ancient authorities read turns aside
  3. 9 Other ancient authorities add of Christ

False Prophets and Their Punishment

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.(A) Even so, many will follow their debaucheries, and because of these teachers[a] the way of truth will be maligned.

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Footnotes

  1. 2.2 Gk because of them

10 After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions,(A)

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not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.(A) But even if we or an angel[a] from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed!(B) As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

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Footnotes

  1. 1.8 Or a messenger

Sexual Immorality Must Be Judged

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons, 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world.(A) 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy or an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler. Do not even eat with such a one.

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14 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed.(A) 15 Do not regard them as enemies, but admonish them as brothers and sisters.

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17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.(A)

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Woe to the world because of things that cause sin![a] Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18.7 Or stumbling blocks

for you are still fleshly. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling[a] among you, are you not fleshly and behaving according to human inclinations?(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 3.3 Other ancient authorities add and dissensions

19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us, for if they had belonged to us they would have remained[a] with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.19 Or abided

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh![a](A) For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God[b] and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 3.2 Gk the mutilation
  2. 3.3 Other ancient authorities read worship God in spirit

Divisions in the Church

10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.(A) 11 For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?(B)

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24 Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, though with no instructions from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your minds,[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 15.24 Other ancient authorities add saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”(A) And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.(B) So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.(C) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.(D) But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”

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17 If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector.(A)

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18 For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.(A)

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Some Sayings of Jesus

17 Jesus[a] said to his disciples, “Occasions for sin[b] are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come!(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 17.1 Gk He
  2. 17.1 Or stumbling