¹⁶ These people are grumblers^(A) and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires;^(B) they boast^(C) about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

¹⁸ For they mouth empty, boastful words^(A) and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping^(B) from those who live in error.

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)

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(A) or arguing,

⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth^(A) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

¹⁰ And do not grumble, as some of them did^(A)—and were killed^(B) by the destroying angel.^(C)

¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last times^(A) there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”^(B)

³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days^(A) scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.^(B)

² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(A) but rather for the will of God.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(A) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(B) to abstain from sinful desires,^(C) which wage war against your soul.^(D)