11. whereas messengers who are greater in strength and power do not bring a slanderous accusation against them before the Master.
12. But these, like natural unreasoning beasts, having been born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheme that which they do not know, shall be destroyed in their destruction,
13. being about to receive the wages of unrighteousness, deeming indulgence in the day of pleasure, spots and blemishes, revelling in their own deceptions while they feast with you,
14. having eyes filled with an adulteress, and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable beings, having a heart trained in greed, children of a curse,
15. having left the right way they went astray, having followed the way of Bil‛am the son of Be‛or, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,
16. but he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb donkey speaking with the voice of a man restrained the madness of the prophet.
17. These are fountains without water, clouds driven by a storm, to whom the blackest darkness is kept forever.
18. For speaking arrogant nonsense, they entice – through the lusts of the flesh, through indecencies – the ones who have indeed escaped from those living in delusion,
19. promising them freedom, though themselves being slaves of corruption – for one is a slave to whatever overcomes him.
20. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Master and Saviour יהושע Messiah, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the first.
21. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the set-apart command delivered unto them.
22. For them the proverb has proved true, “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A washed sow returns to her rolling in the mud.”