Rebuking Those Who Fail to Do Good

¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk^(A) and deception, especially those of the circumcision group.^{(B) 11} They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households^(C) by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. ¹² One of Crete’s own prophets^(D) has said it: “Cretans^(E) are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”^{[a] 13} This saying is true. Therefore rebuke^(F) them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith^{(G) 14} and will pay no attention to Jewish myths^(H) or to the merely human commands^(I) of those who reject the truth.^{(J) 15} To the pure, all things are pure,^(K) but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.^(L) In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.^{(M) 16} They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.^(N) They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.^(O)

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.^(A)

¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies,^(A) we were reconciled^(B) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!^(C)

True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets.^(A) They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.^(B)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands.^(A)

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(A) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(B) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(C) 3} For you died,^(D) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

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.