For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

And did not have mercy on the world which then was, but only kept safe Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when he let loose the waters over the world of the evil-doers;

But these [false teachers], like unreasoning animals, [mere] creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed, reviling things they do not understand, will also perish in their own corruption [in their destroying they will be destroyed],

They have eyes only for adulteresses, eyes never tired of sin; they entice weak souls; their minds are trained to covet; they live under a curse.

Such people are like springs that give no water and clouds driven by the winds. [Only] the blackest darkness awaits them.

The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.”

But, above all, remember that, in the last days, men will come who make a mock at everything--men governed only by their own passions,