¹⁸ For, ^(A)speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely ^(B)escaping from those who live in error.

^15 (A)to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have ^(B)committed in such an ungodly way, and of all ^(C)the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” ¹⁶ These are grumblers, malcontents, ^(D)following their own sinful desires; ^(E)they are loud-mouthed boasters, ^(F)showing favoritism to gain advantage.

²⁰ For if, ^(A)after they have escaped the defilements of the world ^(B)through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, ^(C)the last state has become worse for them than the first.

⁴ by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become ^(A)partakers of the divine nature, ^(B)having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

⁵ And the beast was given ^(A)a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for ^(B)forty-two months. ⁶ It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling,^[a] that is, those who dwell in heaven.

^13 (A)Let us walk properly as in the daytime, ^(B)not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, ^(C)not in quarreling and jealousy.

^5 (A)You have lived on the earth in luxury and ^(B)in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in ^(C)a day of slaughter.

⁴ who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, ^(A)proclaiming himself to be God.

The Second Beast

¹¹ Then ^(A)I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

^13 (A)wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of ^(B)their own shame; ^(C)wandering stars, ^(D)for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.