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) 11} yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from^[b] the Lord.^{(C) 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.^(D)

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

¹⁷ These people are springs without water^(M) and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.^{(N) 18} For they mouth empty, boastful words^(O) and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping^(P) from those who live in error.

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples^(A) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters,^(B) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”^{[a](C) 8} We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.^(D)

Moab Seduces Israel

25 While Israel was staying in Shittim,^(A) the men began to indulge in sexual immorality^(B) with Moabite^(C) women,^{(D) 2} who invited them to the sacrifices^(E) to their gods.^(F) The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. ³ So Israel yoked themselves to^(G) the Baal of Peor.^(H) And the Lord’s anger burned against them.

⁴ The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders^(I) of these people, kill them and expose^(J) them in broad daylight before the Lord,^(K) so that the Lord’s fierce anger^(L) may turn away from Israel.”

⁵ So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death^(M) those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.”^(N)

⁶ Then an Israelite man brought into the camp a Midianite^(O) woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping^(P) at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

⁷ In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah^(A) and the surrounding towns^(B) gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.^(C)

⁸ In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.^{(D) 9} But even the archangel^(E) Michael,^(F) when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses,^(G) did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”^{[a](H) 10} Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.^(I)

¹¹ Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain;^(J) they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error;^(K) they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.^(L)

¹² These people are blemishes at your love feasts,^(M) eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves.^(N) They are clouds without rain,^(O) blown along by the wind;^(P) autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted^(Q)—twice dead. ¹³ They are wild waves of the sea,^(R) foaming up their shame;^(S) wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.^(T)