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 —especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust and who despise authority.

Bold and willful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones,[a](A) 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgment.[b] 12 These people, however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and as those creatures are destroyed,[c] they also will be destroyed, 13 suffering[d] the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures[e] while they feast with you.(B) 14 They have eyes full of adultery,[f] insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 They have left the straight road and have gone astray, following the road of Balaam son of Bosor,[g] who loved the wages of doing wrong(C) 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

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Footnotes

  1. 2.10 Or angels; Gk glories
  2. 2.11 Other ancient authorities add from the Lord or before the Lord
  3. 2.12 Gk in their destruction
  4. 2.13 Other ancient authorities read receiving
  5. 2.13 Other ancient authorities read love feasts
  6. 2.14 Gk adulteress; or longing for an adulteress
  7. 2.15 Other ancient authorities read Beor