2 But
there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be
false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction. 2 And
many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And
through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of
you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not. 4 For
if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell,
and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And
spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher
of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And
turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with
an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live
ungodly; 7 And
delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For
that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his
righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The
Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve
the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But
chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and
despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid
to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas
angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation
against them before the Lord.
12
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak
evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in
their own corruption; 13 And
shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure
to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves
with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having
eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable
souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which
have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam
the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But
was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad
the madness of the prophet. 17 These
are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom
the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For
when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the
lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped
from them who live in error. 19 While
they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption:
for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For
if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge
of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein,
and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For
it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,
than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered
unto them. 22 But
it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned
to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in
the mire.