then (A)the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially (B)those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. (C)They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [a]dignitaries, 11 whereas (D)angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

Depravity of False Teachers

12 But these, (E)like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 (F)and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure (G)to [b]carouse in the daytime. (H)They are spots and blemishes, [c]carousing in their own deceptions while (I)they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of [d]adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. (J)They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of (K)Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

17 (L)These are wells without water, [e]clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness [f]forever.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 2:10 glorious ones, lit. glories
  2. 2 Peter 2:13 revel
  3. 2 Peter 2:13 reveling
  4. 2 Peter 2:14 Lit. an adulteress
  5. 2 Peter 2:17 NU and mists
  6. 2 Peter 2:17 NU omits forever

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