So be the more eager, brothers, to ratify your calling and election, for as you practise these qualities you will never make a slip;

so long as I am in this tent, I deem it proper to stir you up by way of reminder,

Yes, and I will see to it that even when I am gone, you will keep this constantly in mind.

(for when that righteous man resided among them, by what he saw and heard his righteous soul was vexed day after day with their unlawful doings) ??9 then be sure the Lord knows how to rescue pious folk from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment till the day of doom,

they have gone wrong by leaving the straight road, by following the road of Balaam son of Bosor, who liked the profits of evil-doing ??16 but he got reproved for his malpractice: a dumb ass spoke with human voice and checked the prophet's infatuation.

They verify the truth of the proverb: "The dog turns back to what he has vomited, the sow when washed will wallow in the mire."

The Lord is not slow with what he promises, according to certain people's idea of slowness; no, he is longsuffering for your sake, he does not wish any to perish but all to betake them to repentance.

Now, beloved, you are forewarned: mind you are not carried away by the error of the lawless and so lose your proper footing;