2 Peter 2
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But m false prophets also arose among the people, n just as there will be false teachers among you, who will o secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master p who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
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And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth q will be blasphemed.
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And r in their greed they will exploit you s with false words. t Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
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For if God did not spare u angels when they sinned, but v cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness w to be kept until the judgment;
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if he did not spare the ancient world, but x preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought y a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
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if by z turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, a making them an example of b what is going to happen to the ungodly;
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and c if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked
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(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, d he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);
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then e the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,
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and especially f those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and g despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble g as they blaspheme the glorious ones,
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h whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.
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i But these, like irrational animals, j creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction,
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suffering wrong as k the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure l to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while m they feast with you.
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They have eyes full of adultery, n insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts o trained in greed. p Accursed children!
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Forsaking the right way, q they have gone astray. They have followed r the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved s gain from wrongdoing,
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but was rebuked for his own transgression; t a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
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u These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. v For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.
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For, w speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely x escaping from those who live in error.
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They promise them y freedom, z but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
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For if, a after they have escaped the defilements of the world b through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, c the last state has become worse for them than the first.
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For d it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from e the holy commandment delivered to them.
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What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The f dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 13:1
If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder.
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
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Cross References
Acts 20:30
And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
2 Corinthians 11:13
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
Matthew 24:11
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
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Cross References
Jude 1:4
For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 10:33
But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Galatians 2:4
Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in - who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery -
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought with a price. So glorify Go...
1 Corinthians 7:23
You were bought with a price; do not become sla...
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by...
Galatians 4:5
To redeem those who were under the law, so that...
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are y...
Exodus 15:16
Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the...
1 Peter 1:18
Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ...
Revelation 14:3 - 4
And they were singing a new song before the thr...
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Cross References
Romans 2:24
For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 12:17 - 18
Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?
1 Timothy 6:5
And constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Titus 1:11
They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
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Cross References
Romans 16:18
For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Colossians 2:4
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.
Philippians 3:19
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
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Cross References
Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day -
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Cross References
Revelation 20:2 - 3
And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:10
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
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Cross References
Matthew 25:41
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
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Cross References
1 Peter 3:20
Because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
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Cross References
2 Peter 3:6
And that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
Job 22:16
They were snatched away before their time; their foundation was washed away.
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Cross References
Genesis 19:24
Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven.
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Cross References
Numbers 26:10
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning.
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Cross References
Jude 1:15
To execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
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Cross References
Genesis 19:16
But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.
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Cross References
Psalms 119:136
My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.
Psalms 119:158
I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.
Ezekiel 9:4
And the Lord said to him, "Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
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Cross References
Jude 1:16
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
Jude 1:18
They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.
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Cross References
Jude 1:8
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
Exodus 22:28
You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
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Cross References
Jude 1:8
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
Exodus 22:28
You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
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Cross References
Jude 1:9
But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you.
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Cross References
Jude 1:10
But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
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Cross References
Jeremiah 12:3
But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
Philippians 3:19
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:15
Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing.
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Cross References
Romans 13:13
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
1 Thessalonians 5:7
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
James 5:5
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 11:21
For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.
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Cross References
1 Peter 4:1
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:3
And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
1 Timothy 4:7
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.
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Cross References
Ephesians 2:3
Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
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Cross References
Ezekiel 14:11
That the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor defile themselves anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I may be their God, declares the Lord God.
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Cross References
Numbers 22:5
Sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pe...
Numbers 22:7
So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian ...
Deuteronomy 23:4
Because they did not meet you with bread and wi...
Nehemiah 13:2
For they did not meet the people of Israel with...
Jude 1:11
Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain...
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you: you have s...
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:13
Suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.
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Cross References
Numbers 22:21
So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.
Numbers 22:23
And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road.
Numbers 22:28
Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?
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Cross References
Jude 1:12
These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted.
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Cross References
Jude 1:13
Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
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Cross References
Jude 1:16
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:20
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
2 Peter 1:4
By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
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Cross References
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
James 1:25
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
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Cross References
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
Romans 6:16
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:18
For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.
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Cross References
2 Peter 1:2
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
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Cross References
Matthew 12:45
Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.
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Cross References
Ezekiel 18:24
But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.
Luke 12:47
And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
Hebrews 6:4 - 6
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:26 - 27
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
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Cross References
Romans 7:12
So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
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Cross References
Proverbs 26:11
Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.