In the same way these people—relying on their dreams—defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones.(A) Yet when Michael(B) the archangel(C) was disputing with the devil(D) in an argument about Moses’s(E) body, he did not dare utter a slanderous condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people blaspheme anything they do not understand. And what they do understand by instinct—like irrational animals—by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain,(F) have plunged into Balaam’s error(G) for profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.(H)

The Apostates’ Doom

12 These people are dangerous reefs[a] at your love feasts(I) as they eat with you without reverence. They are shepherds who only look after themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by winds;(J) trees in late autumn—fruitless, twice dead and uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameful deeds; wandering stars(K) for whom the blackness of darkness(L) is reserved forever.(M)

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Footnotes

  1. 12 Or are like blemishes

In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.[a] But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels,[b] did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) 10 But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. 11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.

12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you.[c] They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. 13 They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.

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Footnotes

  1. 8 Greek at glorious ones, which are probably evil angels.
  2. 9 Greek Michael, the archangel.
  3. 12 Or they are contaminants among you; or they are stains.