15Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;
16But his wrongdoing was pointed out to him: an ass, talking with a man's voice, put a stop to the error of the prophet.
17These are fountains without water, and mists before a driving storm; for whom the eternal night is kept in store.
18For with high-sounding false words, making use of the attraction of unclean desires of the flesh, they get into their power those newly made free from those who are living in error;
19Saying that they will be free, while they themselves are the servants of destruction; because whatever gets the better of a man makes a servant of him.
20For if, after they have got free from the unclean things of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again taken in the net and overcome, their last condition is worse than their first.
21For it would have been better for them to have had no knowledge of the way of righteousness, than to go back again from the holy law which was given to them, after having knowledge of it.
