⁹ then ^(A)the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially ^(B)those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. ^(C)They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of ^[a]dignitaries, ¹¹ whereas ^(D)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, ^(E)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 (F)and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure ^(G)to ^[b]carouse in the daytime. ^(H)They are spots and blemishes, ^[c]carousing in their own deceptions while ^(I)they feast with you, ¹⁴ having eyes full of ^[d]adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. ^(J)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 ^(K)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.

^17 (L)These are wells without water, ^[e]clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness ^[f]forever.

⁷ But ^(A)the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for ^(B)fire until the day of judgment and ^[a]perdition of ungodly men.

⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your ^[a]impenitent heart ^(A)you are ^[b]treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

¹⁷ For the great day of His wrath has come, ^(A)and who is able to stand?”

^13 (A)raging waves of the sea, ^(B)foaming up their own shame; wandering stars ^(C)for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.