Epistle Reading: 2 Peter 2:9-22
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of
temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of
judgment,
and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the
lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-
willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not
bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.
But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and
destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will
utterly perish in their own corruption,
and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who
count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes,
carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,
having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin,
beguiling unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices,
and are accursed children.
They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following
the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking
with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest,
to whom the gloom of darkness is reserved forever.
For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they
allure through the lusts of the flesh, through licentiousness, the ones who
have actually escaped from those who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves
of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought
into bondage.
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the
beginning.
For it would have been better for them not to have known the
way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered to them.
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "
A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her
wallowing in the mire."
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:14-23
"But when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of
by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader
understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
"And let him who is on the housetop not go down into the
house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.
"And let him who is in the field not go back to get his
garment.
"But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing
babies in those days!
"And pray that your flight may not be in winter.
"For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not
been from the beginning of creation which God created until this time, nor
ever shall be.
"And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would
be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, '
Look, He is there!' do not believe it.
"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show
signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
"But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
