²⁶ The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

³ For the holy ones who `are' in the land, And the honourable, all my delight `is' in them.

⁹ and the great dragon was cast forth -- the old serpent, who is called `Devil,' and `the Adversary,' who is leading astray the whole world -- he was cast forth to the earth, and his messengers were cast forth with him.

²⁶ These things I did write to you concerning those leading you astray;

¹⁸ for overswellings of vanity speaking, they do entice in desires of the flesh -- lasciviousnesses, those who had truly escaped from those conducting themselves in error,

¹⁹ liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude,

²⁰ for, if having escaped from the pollutions of the world, in the acknowledging of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and by these again being entangled, they have been overcome, become to them hath the last things worse than the first,

²¹ for it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of the righteousness, than having acknowledged `it', to turn back from the holy command delivered to them,

²² and happened to them hath that of the true similitude; `A dog did turn back upon his own vomit,' and, `A sow having bathed herself -- to rolling in mire.'

¹⁸ The domestics! be subjecting yourselves in all fear to the masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the cross;

¹⁹ for this `is' gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows, suffering unrighteously;

²⁰ for what renown `is it', if sinning and being buffeted, ye do endure `it'? but if, doing good and suffering `for it', ye do endure, this `is' gracious with God,

²¹ for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps,

¹³ Let no one say, being tempted -- `From God I am tempted,' for God is not tempted of evil, and Himself doth tempt no one,

¹⁴ and each one is tempted, by his own desires being led away and enticed,

³² and -- if ye love those loving you, what grace have ye? for also the sinful love those loving them;

³³ and if ye do good to those doing good to you, what grace have ye? for also the sinful do the same;

³⁴ and if ye lend `to those' of whom ye hope to receive back, what grace have ye? for also the sinful lend to sinners -- that they may receive again as much.

³⁵ `But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward will be great, and ye shall be sons of the Highest, because He is kind unto the ungracious and evil;

³⁶ be ye therefore merciful, as also your Father is merciful.

⁴⁶ `For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?

⁴⁷ and if ye may salute your brethren only, what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so?

⁴⁸ ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who `is' in the heavens is perfect.

²⁷ One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper `is' a man of understanding.

¹³ In transgression of the lips `is' the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.

¹² From the brightness over-against Him His thick clouds have passed on, Hail and coals of fire.

¹³ And thunder in the heavens doth Jehovah, And the Most High giveth forth His voice, Hail and coals of fire.

¹⁴ and it leadeth astray those dwelling on the land, because of the signs that were given it to do before the beast, saying to those dwelling upon the land to make an image to the beast that hath the stroke of the sword and did live,