[8] For if
these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither
empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[9] For he
that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having
forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
[10]
Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make
sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not
sin at any time.
[11] For so
an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
[12] For
which cause I will begin to put you always in remembrance of these
things: though indeed you know them, and are confirmed in the present
truth.
[13]
But I think it meet as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up
by putting you in remembrance.
[14] Being
assured that the laying away of this my tabernacle is at hand,
according as our Lord Jesus Christ also hath signified to me.
[15] And I
will endeavour, that you frequently have after my decease, whereby you
may keep a memory of these things.
[1] 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.
[2]
And many shall follow their riotousnesses, through 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
perdition slumbereth not.
[4] 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:
[5]
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.
[6] 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.
[7] And
delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and lewd conversation of
the wicked.
[8]
For in sight and hearing he was just: dwelling among them, who from day
to day vexed the just soul with unjust works.
[9] The Lord
knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the
unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented.
[10] 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.
[11]
Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power, bring not against
themselves
a railing judgment.
[12] 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,
[13]
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:
[14] Having
eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not: alluring unstable
souls, having their heart exercised with covetousness, children of
malediction:
[15]
Leaving the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of
Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages of iniquity,
[16] 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.
[17] These
are fountains without water, and clouds tossed with whirlwinds, to whom
the mist of darkness is reserved.
[18] 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:
[19]
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.
[20]
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.
[21]
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.
[22] 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.
[1] Behold
this second epistle I write to you, my dearly beloved, in which I stir
up by way of admonition your sincere mind:
[2] That you
may be mindful of those words which I told you before from the holy
prophets, and of your apostles, of the precepts of the Lord and
Saviour.
[3]
Knowing this first, that in the last days there shall come deceitful
scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
[4] Saying:
Where is his promise or his coming? for since the time that the fathers
slept, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation.
[5]
For this they are wilfully ignorant of, that the heavens were before,
and the earth out of water, and through water, consisting by the word
of God.
[6]
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.
But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept
in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition
of the ungodly men.
[7] But the
heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in
store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
the ungodly men. ...
[15] ...as
also our most dear brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him,
hath written to you:
[16] As
also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which
are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own
destruction.
