¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise^(A) by the standards of this age,^(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

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.^(A)

¹³ They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight.^(B) They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.^{[a](C) 14} With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce^(D) the unstable;^(E) they are experts in greed^(F)—an accursed brood!^{(G) 15} They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam^(H) son of Bezer,^[b] 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.^(I)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,^(A) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.^(B)