I think it right, as long as I am in this earthly tent, to inspire you by reminding you,

Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned.

and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was tormented by the immoral conduct of unprincipled and ungodly men

Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;

For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them.

Beloved, I am now writing you this second letter. In this [as in the first one], I am stirring up your untainted mind to remind you,