^3 (A)For the time will come when they will not endure ^(B)sound doctrine, ^(C)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and ^(D)be turned aside to fables.

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. ²⁰ And ^(G)the God of peace ^(H)will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

^(I)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

¹⁶ as also in all his ^(A)epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the ^(B)rest of the Scriptures.

A Warning

^18 [a]For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: ^(A)If anyone adds to these things, ^[b]God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, ^(B)God^[c] shall take away his part from the ^[d]Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The Great Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit ^[a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed ^(A)to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,