1 But there were also false-prophets in the people, as also in you there shall be lying masters which shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny him that hath bought them, the Lord: bringing upon themselves speedy perdition.
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, by whom the way of truth shall be blasphemed.
2 And many shall follow their riotousnesses, through whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And in avarice shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. Unto whom the judgement now long since ceaseth not: and their perdition slumbereth not.
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 Angels sinning: but with the ropes of Hell being drawn down into Hell delivered them to be tormented, that they should be reserved unto judgement:
4 ¹For 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 he spared not the original world, but kept the eight, Noe, the preacher of justice, bringing in the deluge upon the world of the impious.
5 And spared not the original world, ²but preserved Noe, the eighth person, the preacher of justice, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.
6 And bringing the cities of the Sodomites & of the Gomorrheites into ashes, he damned them with subversion, putting an example of them that shall do impiously:
6 ³And 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 injury and luxurious conversation of the abominable men.
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 with them who from day to day vexed the just soul with unjust works.
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 Our Lord knoweth to deliver the godly from tentation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be tormented:
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 which walk after the flesh in concupiscence of uncleanness, and contemn dominion, bold, self-pleasers: they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming.
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 being greater in strength and power, bear not the execrable judgement against them.
11 Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power, bring not against themselves a railing judgment.
12 But these men as unreasonable beasts, naturally tending to the snare and into destruction, in those things which they know not, blaspheming, shall perish in their corruption,
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 injustice, esteeming for a pleasure the delights of a day: coinquinations and spots, flowing in delicacies, in their feastings rioting with you,
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 incessant sin: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised with avarice, the children of malediction:
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 erred, having followed the way of Balaam of Bosor, which loved the reward of iniquity,
15 Leaving the right way they have gone astray, ⁴having followed the way of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages of iniquity,
16 but had a check of his madness, the dumb beast under the yoke, speaking with man's voice, prohibited the foolishness of the prophet.
16 But had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke, which ⁵speaking with man’s voice, forbade the folly of the prophet.
17 These are fountains without water, and clouds, tossed with whirl-winds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved.
17 ⁶These are fountains without water, and clouds tossed with whirlwinds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved.
18 For, speaking the proud things of vanity, they allure in the desires of fleshly riotousness, those that escape a little, which converse in error,
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 themselves are the slaves of corruption. For wherewith a man is overcome, of that he is the slave also.
19 Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of corruption. ⁷For by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the slave.
20 For if flying from the coinquinations of the world in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they again entangled with the same be overcome: the later things are become unto them worse than the former.
20 For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, ⁸they be again entangled in them and overcome: ⁹their latter state is become unto them worse than the former.
21 For it was better for them not to know the way of justice, than after the knowledge, to turn back from that holy commandment which was delivered to them.
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 is chanced to them, The dog returned to his vomit: and, The sow washed into her wallowing in the mire.
22 For, that of the true proverb has happened to them: ¹⁰The dog is returned to his vomit: and, the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.