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2 Peter 2
But there were also false prophets among the people,
even as there shall be among you lying teachers, who
shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny the Lord
who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their riotousnesses, through whom
the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words
make merchandise of you. Whose judgment now of a long
time lingereth not, and their perdition slumbereth not.
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered
them, drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell,
unto torments, to be reserved unto judgment:
And spared not the original world, but preserved Noe,
the eighth person, the preacher of justice, bringing
in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.
And reducing the cities of the Sodomites, and of the
Gomorrhites, into ashes, condemned them to be overthrown,
making them an example to those that should after act
wickedly.
And delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and
lewd conversation of the wicked.
For in sight and hearing he was just: dwelling among
them, who from day to day vexed the just soul with unjust
works.
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation,
but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to
be tormented.
And especially them who walk after the flesh in the
lust of uncleanness, and despise government, audacious,
self willed, they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming.
Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power,
bring not against themselves a railing judgment.
But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending
to the snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things
which they know not, shall perish in their corruption,
Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for
a pleasure the delights of a day: stains and spots,
sporting themselves to excess, rioting in their feasts
with you:
Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth
not: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised
with covetousness, children of malediction:
Leaving the right way they have gone astray, having
followed the way of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages
of iniquity,
But had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used
to the yoke, which speaking with man's voice, forbade
the folly of the prophet.
These are fountains without water, and clouds tossed
with whirlwinds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved.
For, speaking proud words of vanity, they allure by
the desires of fleshly riotousness, those who for a
little while escape, such as converse in error:
Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are
the slaves of corruption. For by whom a man is overcome,
of the same also he is the slave.
For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through
the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
they be again entangled in them and overcome: their
latter state is become unto them worse than the former.
For it had been better for them not to have known the
way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn
back from that holy commandment which was delivered
to them.
For, that of the true proverb has happened to them:
The dog is returned to his vomit: and, The sow that
was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.
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