Final Instructions and Greetings

¹⁷ I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles ^(A)contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; ^(B)avoid them. ¹⁸ For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but ^(C)their own appetites,^[a] and ^(D)by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, ^(A)does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching ^(B)has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, ^(C)do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹ for whoever greets him ^(D)takes part in his wicked works.

The Temple of the Living God

^14 (A)Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For ^(B)what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or ^(C)what fellowship has light with darkness? ^15 (D)What accord has Christ with Belial?^[a] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ^(E)we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

⁹ He must ^(A)hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in ^(B)sound^[a] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, ^(A)after warning him once and then twice, ^(B)have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Judgment on False Teachers

³ Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our ^(A)common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you ^(B)to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.