2 Peter 2:9-22

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

⁹ The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented.

¹⁰ And especially them who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government, audacious, self willed, they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming.

¹¹ Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power, bring not against themselves a railing judgment.

¹² But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not, shall perish in their corruption,

¹³ Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for a pleasure the delights of a day: stains and spots, sporting themselves to excess, rioting in their feasts with you:

¹⁴ Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised with covetousness, children of malediction:

¹⁵ Leaving the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages of iniquity,

¹⁶ But had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke, which speaking with man's voice, forbade the folly of the prophet.

¹⁷ These are fountains without water, and clouds tossed with whirlwinds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved.

¹⁸ For, speaking proud words of vanity, they allure by the desires of fleshly riotousness, those who for a little while escape, such as converse in error:

¹⁹ Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of corruption. For by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the slave.

²⁰ For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they be again entangled in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than the former.

²¹ For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that holy commandment which was delivered to them.

²² For, that of the true proverb has happened to them: The dog is returned to his vomit: and, The sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.