The Elders’ Task

¹⁰ For there are many insubordinate, both idle ^(A)talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

⁶ from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to ^(A)idle talk,

⁴ And this occurred because of ^(A)false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our ^(B)liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, ^(C)that they might bring us into bondage),

Love for God and One Another

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but ^(A)test the spirits, whether they are of God; because ^(B)many false prophets have gone out into the world.

⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and ^(A)be turned aside to fables.

^13 (A)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Error and Greed

³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to ^(A)wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(B)and to the ^[a]doctrine which accords with godliness, ⁴ he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, ^5 [b]useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ^[c]From ^(C)such withdraw yourself.

² And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, ^(A)those of the circumcision contended with him,

¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of ^(A)Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, ^(B)to eat things sacrificed to idols, ^(C)and to commit sexual immorality.

⁶ But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.