of righteousness, bringing the flood on the world
of ungodly men, (6)and turning to ashes the cities of Sodom and
Gomorrah condemned them to overthrow, having made them an example of
those who should afterward live ungodly; (7)and delivered righteous
Lot, wearied out with the lewd conduct of the lawless; (8)(for that
righteous man, dwelling among them, with seeing and hearing vexed his
righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (9)the Lord
knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the
unjust under punishment to the day of judgment; (10)but chiefly those
who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise
dominion. Presumptuous, self-willed, they are not afraid to rail at
dignities; (11)whereas angels, being greater in strength and power,
bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord.

(12)But these, as natural brute beasts born to be taken[2:12] and
destroyed, railing at things that they understand not, shall utterly
perish in their own corruption, (13)receiving the wages of
unrighteousness, as they who account reveling for a day pleasure;
spots, and blemishes, reveling in their own deceits while feasting
with you; (14)having eyes full of the adulteress, and that cease not
from sin; alluring unstable souls; having a heart exercised in
covetousness; children of a curse; (15)forsaking the right way, they
went 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, forbade the madness of the
prophet.

(17)These are wells without water, mists driven by a tempest, to whom
the blackness of darkness is reserved forever. (18)For, speaking
swelling words of vanity, in lusts of the flesh they allure, by wanton
ways, such as partly escape those who live in error; (19)promising
them liberty, while they themselves are servants of corruption; for by
what a man is overcome, by the same he is also brought into bondage.
(20)For if, having escaped the pollutions of the world through the
knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christy but having again become
entangled therein they are overcome, the last state is become worse
with them than the first. (21)For it were better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn back
from the holy commandment delivered to them. (22)But it has happened
to them according to the true pr