10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire(A) of the flesh[a] and despise authority.

Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;(B) 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from[b] the Lord.(C) 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.(D)

13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight.(E) They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.[c](F) 14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce(G) the unstable;(H) they are experts in greed(I)—an accursed brood!(J) 15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam(K) son of Bezer,[d] who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 2:10 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 18.
  2. 2 Peter 2:11 Many manuscripts beings in the presence of
  3. 2 Peter 2:13 Some manuscripts in their love feasts
  4. 2 Peter 2:15 Greek Bosor

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