17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.(A) Keep away from them.(B) 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,(C) but their own appetites.(D) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive(E) the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard(F) about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.(G)

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Avoid Divisive Persons

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those (A)who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and (B)avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [a]Jesus Christ, but (C)their own belly, and (D)by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For (E)your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be (F)wise in what is good, and [b]simple concerning evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 16:18 NU, M omit Jesus
  2. Romans 16:19 innocent

Paul’s Final Instructions

17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

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Final Instructions

17 I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them! 18 For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine words and flattering speech they deceive innocent people. 19 Everyone has heard of your loyalty to the gospel, and for this reason I am happy about you. I want you to be wise about what is good, but innocent in what is evil.

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