¹⁸ For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but ^(A)their own appetites,^[a] and ^(B)by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

⁴ I say this in order ^(A)that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

^19 (A)Their end is destruction, ^(B)their god is their belly, and ^(C)they glory in their shame, with ^(D)minds set on earthly things.

A Tree and Its Fruit

^15 (A)“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ^(B)ravenous wolves.

³ And ^(A)in their greed they will exploit you ^(B)with false words. ^(C)Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

⁵ and constant friction among people ^(A)who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, ^(B)imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

¹⁶ These are grumblers, malcontents, ^(A)following their own sinful desires; ^(B)they are loud-mouthed boasters, ^(C)showing favoritism to gain advantage.

² For people will be ^(A)lovers of self, ^(B)lovers of money, ^(C)proud, ^(D)arrogant, abusive, ^(E)disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ^3 (F)heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, ^(G)not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, ^(H)swollen with conceit, ^(I)lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having the appearance of godliness, but ^(J)denying its power. ^(K)Avoid such people. ⁶ For among them are ^(L)those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,