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.
2Pet.3
[1] This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of
remembrance:
[2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
[3] Knowing this first, that there
shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
[4] And saying, Where is the promise
of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of
the creation.
[5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old,
and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
[6] Whereby the world that then was, being
overflowed with water, perished:
[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 ungodly men.
[8] But,
beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a
thousand years as one day.
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
[10]
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a
great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein
shall be burned up.
[11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
[12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of
the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat?
[13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.
[14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent
that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
[15] And account that the longsuffering
of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him
hath written unto you;
[16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some
things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the
other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
[17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
[18] But
grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now
and for ever. Amen.