²¹ “He will be succeeded by a contemptible^(A) person who has not been given the honor of royalty.^(B) He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.

³² With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist^(A) him.

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)

²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves^(A) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.^(B)

³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples^(A) after them.

¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,^(A) but their own appetites.^(B) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive^(C) the minds of naive people.