¹⁸ For with high-sounding false words, making use of the attraction of unclean desires of the flesh, they get into their power those newly made free from those who are living in error;

²⁰ For if, after they have got free from the unclean things of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again taken in the net and overcome, their last condition is worse than their first.

⁴ And through this he has given us the hope of great rewards highly to be valued; so that by them we might have our part in God's being, and be made free from the destruction which is in the world through the desires of the flesh.

¹⁵ To be the judge of all, and to give a decision against all those whose lives are unpleasing to him, because of the evil acts which they have done, and because of all the hard things which sinners without fear of God have said against him.

¹⁶ These are the men who make trouble, ever desiring change, going after evil pleasures, using high-sounding words, respecting men's position in the hope of reward.

¹¹ And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and his voice was like that of a dragon.

⁵ And there was given to him a mouth to say words of pride against God; and there was given to him authority to go on for forty-two months.

⁶ And his mouth was open to say evil against God, and against his name and his Tent, even against those who are in heaven.

⁵ You have been living delicately on earth and have taken your pleasure; you have made your hearts fat for a day of destruction.

¹³ Violent waves of the sea, streaming with their shame, wandering stars for whom the darkest night is kept in store for ever.

⁴ Who puts himself against all authority, lifting himself up over all which is named God or is given worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, putting himself forward as God.

¹³ With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and drinking, not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy.

⁹ But there was a certain man named Simon, who in the past had been a wonder-worker and a cause of surprise to the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was a great man:

⁴⁰ And with more such words he gave his witness, offering them salvation and saying, Come out from this evil generation.

³⁶ And the king will do his pleasure; he will put himself on high, lifting himself over every god, and saying things to be wondered at against the God of gods; and all will be well for him till the wrath is complete; for what has been purposed will be done.

³⁰ The king made answer and said, Is this not great Babylon, which I have made for the living-place of kings, by the strength of my power and for the glory of my honour?

⁸ Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.

⁹ Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.

¹ <To the chief music-maker. Maschil. Of David. When Doeg the Edomite came to Saul saying, David has come to the house of Ahimelech.> Why do you take pride in wrongdoing, lifting yourself up against the upright man all the day?

² Purposing destruction, using deceit; your tongue is like a sharp blade.

³ You have more love for evil than for good, for deceit than for works of righteousness. (Selah.)