d we have the more sure prophetic word, to
which you will do well to attend, as to a light shining in a dark
place, till the day dawns and the day-star arises in your hearts,
[1:20]knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of its own
solution. [1:21]For prophecy was never brought by the will of man, but
moved by the Holy Spirit men spoke from God.

4 [2:1]But there were also false prophets among the people, as there
shall also be false teachers among you, who shall bring in by stealth
destructive heresies, even denying the master that bought them,
bringing on themselves swift destruction; [2:2]and many shall follow
their lewdness, on account of whom the way of truth shall be reviled,
[2:3]and with covetousness they will make a gain of you with feigned
words, whose judgment a long time lingers not, and their destruction
slumbers not. [2:4]For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but
plunging them into Tartarus delivered them up in chains to be kept in
darkness till the judgment, [2:5]and spared not the old world, but
preserved Noah a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, bringing
the flood on the world of the ungodly, [2:6]and condemned Sodom and
Gomorrah to be overthrown, reducing them to ashes, making them an
example to those who should afterwards be wicked, [2:7]and delivered
righteous Lot, vexed by the lewd conduct of the wicked;-- [2:8]for that
righteous man living among them vexed his righteous soul from day to
day by seeing and hearing their wicked deeds;-- [2:9]the Lord knows how
to deliver the pious from trial, and to keep the wicked to the day of
judgment to be punished, [2:10]but especially those who walk after the
flesh, in corrupt desires, and despise government. Presumptuous,
self-complacent, they fear not to revile glories, [2:11]where the
angels who are greater in strength and power do not bring against them
a reproachful judgment; [2:12]but these, like irrational animals,
brutes made to be taken and destroyed, reviling things which they do
not understand, will also be destroyed in their depravity, [2:13]
receiving the wages of wickedness, accounting luxury in the day-time a
pleasure, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceptions while
feasting with you, [2:14]having eyes full of an adulteress, and unable
to cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart exercised in
covetousness, cursed children, [2:15]having left the right way they
have gone astray, following in the