10 and especially (A)those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. (B)They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [a]dignitaries, 11 whereas (C)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, (D)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 (E)and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure (F)to [b]carouse in the daytime. (G)They are spots and blemishes, [c]carousing in their own deceptions while (H)they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of [d]adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. (I)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 (J)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 (K)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

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

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