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

10 and especially those who [a](A)indulge the flesh in its corrupt passion, and (B)despise [b]authority.

[c]Reckless, (C)self-centered, they (D)speak abusively of angelic [d]majesties without trembling, 11 (E)whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a demeaning judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But (F)these, like unreasoning animals, (G)born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, using abusive speech where they have no knowledge, will in [e]the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as (H)the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to (I)revel in the (J)daytime. They are stains and blemishes, (K)reveling in their [f]deceptions as they (L)feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery [g]that never cease from sin, (M)enticing (N)unstable souls, having hearts trained in (O)greed, (P)accursed children; 15 abandoning (Q)the right way, they have gone astray, having followed (R)the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved (S)the [h]reward of unrighteousness; 16 but he received a rebuke for his own offense, (T)for a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the insanity of the prophet.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 2:10 Lit go after
  2. 2 Peter 2:10 Lit lordship
  3. 2 Peter 2:10 Or Audacious
  4. 2 Peter 2:10 Lit glories
  5. 2 Peter 2:12 Lit their destruction also
  6. 2 Peter 2:13 One early ms love feasts
  7. 2 Peter 2:14 Lit and unceasing from sin
  8. 2 Peter 2:15 Or wages