The Appearance of False Prophets

2 But ^(A)false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be ^(B)false teachers ^(C)among you, who will ^(D)secretly introduce ^(E)destructive heresies, even ^(F)denying the ^(G)Master who ^(H)bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. ² Many will follow their ^(I)indecent behavior, and because of them ^(J)the way of the truth will be ^(K)maligned;

^21 (A)For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from ^(B)the holy commandment ^(C)handed on to them. ^22 [a]It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “^(D)A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”

⁴ For it is ^(A)impossible, in the case of those who have once been ^(B)enlightened and have tasted of ^(C)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(D)partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(E)have tasted the good ^(F)word of God and the powers of ^(G)the age to come, ⁶ and then have ^[a]fallen away, to ^(H)restore them again to repentance, ^[b](I)since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. ⁷ For ground that drinks the rain which often ^[c]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those ^(J)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^[d](K)close to being cursed, and ^[e]it ends up being burned.

¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(A)to begin ^[a]with ^(B)the household of God; and if it ^(C)begins ^[b]with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(D)who do not obey the ^(E)gospel of God?

Instructions

17 Now He said to His disciples, “^(A)It is inevitable that ^[a]stumbling blocks come, but woe to one through whom they come! ^2 (B)It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he ^[b]is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to ^[c]sin.