⁴ For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about^[a] long ago have secretly slipped in among you.^(A) They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.^(B)

⁸ In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.^(A)

¹⁰ Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.^(A)

¹⁶ These people are grumblers^(A) and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires;^(B) they boast^(C) about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last times^(A) there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”^(B)

¹⁹ These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.^(A)

²⁰ But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up^(A) in your most holy faith^(B) and praying in the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 21} keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait^(D) for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.^(E)

²² Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them from the fire;^(F) to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.^[a](G)

Doxology

²⁴ To him who is able^(H) to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence^(I) without fault^(J) and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God^(K) our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!^(L) Amen.^(M)