Romans 16:18

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
KJV
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
WEB
For those who are such don’t serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
ASV
For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
DARBY
For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
BLB
For such do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and through smooth talk and blessing they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
ÅB
For slike tjener ikke vår Herre Jesus Kristus, men sin egen buk. Ved smigrende tale og fine ord forfører de de enfoldige.
OTB
For slike personer tjener ikke vår Herre Kristus, men sine egne lyster. Ved glatt tale og smiger bedrar de de godtroendes sinn.
B1930
for disse tjener ikke vår Herre Jesus Kristus, men sin egen buk, og ved sin søte tale og sine fagre ord dårer de de enfoldiges hjerter.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Colossians 2:4

    And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 7:15

    Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 6:5

    Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

    Read in context
  • Micah 3:5

    Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

    Read in context
  • Philippians 3:19

    Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 2:3

    And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

    Read in context
  • 2 Timothy 3:2–6

    For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

    Read in context