God’s Judgment on the Ungodly

(2 Peter 3:1–7)

Beloved, [although] I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write [and] urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in [among you] unnoticed — ungodly [ones] who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 

vvv Although you are fully aware of this I want to remind you that after Jesus[fn] had delivered [His] people out of [the] land of Egypt, He destroyed those who vvv did not believe. 6 And [the] angels who vvv did not stay within their [own] domain but abandoned their [proper] dwelling— [these] He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, {bound} for judgment on [that] great day. 7 In like manner Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain [the] punishment of eternal fire.

8 

Yet in the same way these dreamers defile [their] bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious [beings]. 9 But [even] the archangel Michael, when vvv he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, vvv did not presume to bring a slanderous charge {against him}, but said,“[The] Lord rebuke you!”[fn] 10 These [men], however, slander what vvv they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively 11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

12 

These [men] are hidden reefs[fn] in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting [with you] [but] shepherding [only] themselves. [They are] clouds without water, carried along by [the] wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. 13 [They are] wild waves of [the] sea, foaming up their [own] shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved vvv forever.

14 

Enoch, [the] seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them

“Behold, [the] Lord is coming

with myriads of His holy [ones]

15 

to execute judgment on everyone,

and to convict all the ungodly

of every ungodly act of wickedness

and every harsh [word] spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”[fn]

16 

These [men] are discontented grumblers, following after [their] own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

17