Editing Second Epistle of Peter (section)

===Chapter 2===
{{main|2 Peter 2}}
In this chapter, the author affirms that false teachers have arisen among the faithful to lead them astray with "destructive heresies" and "exploit people with false words" (2:1–2). Just as there were false prophets in ancient times, so there would be false teachers,<ref name="Kuhn, Karl 2006">Kuhn, Karl (2006). 2 Peter 3:1–13. Sage Publications (UK).</ref> false prophets and sheep's clothing were one of the prophecies of Jesus [Matt. 7:15], to which the author of this letter together with the author of [[1 John]] refers [1 John 4:1].<ref>Koestenberger, AJ (2020). Handbook on Hebrews Through Revelation (Handbooks on the New Testament). Baker Academic, pp. 147.</ref> False teachers are accused of "denying the Lord who bought them" and promoting licentiousness (2:1–2). The author classifies false teachers as "irrational animals, instinctive creatures, born to be caught and destroyed" (2:12). They are "spots and stains, delighting in their dissipation" with "eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin… hearts trained in covetousness" (2:13–14).<ref name="Kuhn, Karl 2006"/> As a solution, 2 Peter proposes in the following chapter tools such as penance, aimed at purging sins, and the reactualization of the eschatological hope, to be expected with attention, service and perseverance.<ref>Talbert, C. H. (1966) “II Peter and the delay of the parousia”, Vigiliae Christianae 20, 137–45.</ref> This chapter in all likelihood adapts significant portions of the [[Epistle of Jude]].<ref>Köstenberger, Kellum, Quarles, 2012. 862–63.</ref><ref>Callan, T. (2014). Use of the letter of Jude by the Second Letter of Peter. Bib 85, pp. 42–64.</ref><ref>Thurén, L. (2004). The Relationship between 2 Peter and Jude: A Classical Problem Resolved?. in The Catholic Epistles and the Tradition, ed. Jacques Schlosser. BETL 176, Leuven: Peeters, pp. 451–60.</ref><ref>Kasemann, Ernst (1982). Essays on New Testament Themes, "An Apologia for Primitive Christian Eschatology", trans. W. J. Montague, (SCM Press, 1968: Great Britain), pp. 172.</ref>

The ethical goal is not to fall into that debauchery, and errors, and to have hope. This is promoted with many stories of how God rescues the righteous while holding back the unrighteous for the day of judgment, and the stories of [[Noah]], the story of Lot in [[Sodom and Gomorrah]] (2:6–8) and the story [[Balaam]], son of Bosor (2:15–16) are used as a warning.

{{bibleverse|2 Peter|2:22}} quotes {{bibleverse|Proverbs|26:11}}: "[[As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly]]."