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2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there
will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive
heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing
swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their shameful
ways [this has been fulfilled] and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
3 In their greed [what they really want is your offerings
and your money]
these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation
has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
…
They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of
pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling
in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14 With eyes full of adultery [literal adultery or spiritual adultery---referring
to friendship with the world], they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they
are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15 They have left the straight way and wandered
off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages
of wickedness [the pay or financial
reward he was hoping to receive
for his services of cursing the Israelites]. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a
beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained
the prophet’s madness.
17 These
men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest
darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth
empty, boastful
words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature
[the love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil], they entice people
who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise
them freedom [they promise us freedom from want,
from lack, from poverty],
while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a
slave to whatever has mastered him.
3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will
disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and
the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people
ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring
about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will
melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking
forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make
every effort [what will happen if we do not make
every effort?] to
be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be
on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error
of lawless men [especially false prophets and false teachers
and their greed] and
fall from your secure position.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
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