Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(A) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a];^(B) rather, serve one another^(C) humbly in love.

¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[a](A)

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)

¹⁷ These people are springs without water^(M) and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.^{(N) 18} For they mouth empty, boastful words^(O) and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping^(P) from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”^(Q)

⁸ In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.^{(A) 9} But even the archangel^(B) Michael,^(C) when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses,^(D) did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”^{[a](E) 10} Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.^(F)

¹¹ Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain;^(G) they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error;^(H) they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.^(I)

¹² These people are blemishes at your love feasts,^(J) eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves.^(K) They are clouds without rain,^(L) blown along by the wind;^(M) autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted^(N)—twice dead. ¹³ They are wild waves of the sea,^(O) foaming up their shame;^(P) wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.^(Q)