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.

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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

10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at [a]dignities: 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as creatures without reason, born [b]mere animals [c]to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their [d]destroying surely be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their [e]deceivings while they feast with you; 14 having eyes full of [f]adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing; 15 forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of [g]Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; 16 but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man’s voice and stayed the madness of the prophet.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 2:10 Greek glories.
  2. 2 Peter 2:12 Greek natural.
  3. 2 Peter 2:12 Or, to take and to destroy
  4. 2 Peter 2:12 Or, corruption. Compare 1 Tim. 6:9.
  5. 2 Peter 2:13 Some ancient authorities read love-feasts. Compare Jude 12.
  6. 2 Peter 2:14 Greek an adulteress.
  7. 2 Peter 2:15 Many ancient authorities read Bosor.

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