⁹ then ^(A)the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,^[a] and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially ^(B)those who indulge^[b] in the lust of defiling passion and ^(C)despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble ^(D)as they blaspheme the glorious ones, ^11 (E)whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. ^12 (F)But these, like irrational animals, ^(G)creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, ¹³ suffering wrong as ^(H)the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure ^(I)to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions,^[c] while ^(J)they feast with you. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery,^{[d] (K)}insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts ^(L)trained in greed. ^(M)Accursed children! ¹⁵ Forsaking the right way, ^(N)they have gone astray. They have followed ^(O)the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved ^(P)gain from wrongdoing, ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his own transgression; ^(Q)a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

^17 (R)These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. ^(S)For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.

⁷ But by the same word ^(A)the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and ^(B)destruction of the ungodly.

⁵ But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are ^(A)storing up ^(B)wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.