- The narrator tells how he sees By-ends approached by three men after Christian and Hopeful leave him; these are Mr. Hold-the-world, Mr. Money-love, and Mr. Save-all.
- All three of them, we're told, were friends of By-ends since they all went to the school called Love-gain in the country of Coveting.
- Okay, now all we can think about is how we want a t-shirt from Love-gain University. LGU!
- The purpose of the school was to teach the boys how to gain money by any means, and the narrator confirms that they've all been successful in this.
- Together, the four men discuss how they see the Bible supporting their accumulation of wealth. In the midst of the discussion, By-ends asks whether they think it is lawful for a man to use religion to his personal gain.
- Mr. Money-love argues that making more money can even make a person more virtuous.
- He uses the example of a minister who will be able to do more for his parish and with a better temper since he'll be content.
- Mr. Money-love also argues that it is perfectly fine to profess to a faith to increase one's wealth or safety since coming to religion is a good thing, no matter the reason.
- The other three all pat Money-love on the back, agree that his argument is airtight, and decide to try it on Christian and Hopeful, who are still not too far ahead.
- Mr. Hold-the-world puts the question to Christian, who replies that the answer should be easy for anyone with even a drop of faith.
- He proposes many examples from the Old and New Testaments of sinners who had used their religion, or religious appearance, for profit.
- He ends by stating that "that man that takes up religion for the world will throw away religion for the world" (P560). The men have no way to answer this, and Christian and Hopeful leave them again to walk on.
- The two pilgrims come to a plain called Ease (which is small) and after that a hill called Lucre with a silver mine inside it.
- The narrator tells how many on the road have been tempted by the mine, but, getting too close, fell in through the shaky ground. Near the mine is Demas, the treacherous friend of St. Paul who tries to get travelers to stop.
- Hopeful is tempted to take a look, but Christian argues him away. Christian rebukes Demas and claims that if they even linger a moment to look their Lord will hear of it and be angry.
- Mr. By-ends and his friends also approach Lucre and the mine. Deciding that they will explore it, all four fall into the pit and disappear forever.
- Christian and Hopeful, just a little further ahead, come to the statue of a woman in the shape of a pillar. "Remember Lot's wife" (P579) is written upon it.
- The two take this as a caution that even if you escape one trap of wrong-doing, you can still fall into another very easily.
- The pilgrims then come to the River of God (David's name for it) or the River of the Water of Life (John's name for it). For several days Christian and Hopeful stop by the river, resting and eating the fruit that grows on the trees there.
- When they leave the river, Christian and Hopeful find the road rough on their feet and wish for an easier way.
- At this moment, they come to a stile leading into By-Path Meadow and discuss whether or not to climb over to it.
- Christian argues that they should walk in the meadow since it doesn't seem to lead away from their path and will be easier on their feet.
- Hopeful is less sure, but is persuaded.
- The two climb over the stile into the meadow and call to a man also walking there named Vain-confidence.
- He informs them that the meadow leads to the Celestial City, which encourages Christian and Hopeful, but just then they hear the man fall into a deep pit.
- The two become lost, afraid, and deeply regret their decision as a storm begins to brew.
- The pilgrims argue over who should lead the way back, but then hear a voice telling them to let their hearts guide them back to the road. They trudge on together, but nearly drown in the flooded meadow.
- At last, Christian and Hopeful find a little shelter to wait out the storm and rest.