Fr. Mike Schmitz

But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed, reviling in matters of which they are ignorant, will be destroyed in the same destruction with them, suffering wrong for their wrongdoing.

They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime.

They are blots and blemishes reveling in their dissipation, carousing with you.

They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin.

They entice unsteady souls.

They have hearts trained in greed, accursed children.

Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray.

They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Baor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression.

A speechless donkey spoke with the human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

these are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm for them the deepest gloom of darkness has been reserved for uttering loud boasts of folly they entice with licentious passions of the flesh men who have barely escaped from those who live in error

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption.

For whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved.

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

It has happened to them, according to the true proverb, the dog turns back to his own vomit, and the sow is washed, only to wallow in the mire.

Chapter 3 The Promise of the Lord's Coming

This is now the second letter that I have written to you, beloved.

And in both of them, I have aroused your sincere mind by way of reminder that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.

First of all, you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions and saying, where is the promise of his coming?

For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation.