For if,after they have escapedthe defilementsof the worldby the knowledgeof the Lordand SaviorJesusChrist,they are againentangledin them and are overcome,the laststate has becomeworsefor them than the first.
"When I sayto the righteoushe will surelylive,and he [so] trustsin his righteousnessthat he commitsiniquity,noneof his righteousdeedswill be remembered;but in that same iniquityof his whichhe has committedhe will die.
and the priestshall look,and behold,[if] it appearsto be lowerthanthe skin,and the hairon it has turnedwhite,then the priestshall pronouncehim unclean;it is the infectionof leprosy,it has brokenout in the boil.
"Afterthe article with the markhas been washed,the priestshall againlook,and ifthe markhas not changedits appearance,even though the markhas not spread,it is unclean;you shall burnit in the fire,whether an eatingawayhas produced barenesson the toporon the frontof it.
"If,however, the markbreaksout againin the houseafterhe has tornout the stonesand scrapedthe house,and afterit has been replastered,
And he lookedat Amalekand tookup his discourseand said,"Amalekwas the firstof the nations,But his end[shall be] destruction."
"Wouldthat they were wise,that they understoodthis,That they would discerntheir future!
whoseendis destruction,whosegodis [their] appetite,and [whose] gloryis in their shame,who set their mindson earthly things.
Nosoldier in active serviceentangleshimself in the affairsof everyday life,sothat he may pleasethe one who enlisted him as a soldier.
Pureand undefiledreligionin the sightof [our] Godand Fatheris this:to visitorphansand widowsin their distress,[and] to keeponeselfunstainedby the world.
for in this waythe entranceinto the eternalkingdomof our Lordand SaviorJesusChristwill be abundantlysuppliedto you.
Graceand peacebe multipliedto you in the knowledgeof Godand of Jesusour Lord;
seeingthat His divinepowerhas grantedto us everythingpertainingto lifeand godliness,throughthe true knowledgeof Him who calledus by His owngloryand excellence.
For by theseHe has grantedto us His preciousand magnificentpromises,sothat by them you may becomepartakersof [the] divinenature,having escapedthe corruptionthat is in the worldby lust.
For if these[qualities] are yoursand are increasing,they renderyou neitheruselessnorunfruitfulin the true knowledgeof our LordJesusChrist.
For speakingout arrogant[words] of vanitythey enticeby fleshlydesires,by sensuality,thosewho barelyescapefrom the ones who livein error,
but growin the graceand knowledgeof our Lordand SaviorJesusChrist.To Him [be] the glory,bothnowand to the dayof eternity.Amen.
