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)

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

³ 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) 4} 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) 5} and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.^[a](C)

Warning against Idleness

⁶ 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)

⁵ holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

⁸ 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)

Warning against False Teachers

³ 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)

⁴ 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)—

⁷ 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) 8} Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we^[a] have worked for but may receive a full reward.^{(B) 9} 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)

False Prophets and Their Punishment

2 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) 2} Even so, many will follow their debaucheries, and because of these teachers^[a] the way of truth will be maligned.