He who willfully separates himself seeks his own desire and breaks out against all sound wisdom. Where there is no leadership the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed. A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge adds to his strength; for by wise guidance you will wage your war, and there is victory in a multitude of counselors.

   [The Lord says this:] "I spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke Me to My face continually, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense upon bricks; who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; who say, 'Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am set apart from you.' These are a smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day . . . You who forsake the Lord and ignore My holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and make abundant mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you all shall bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, you did not answer, and when I spoke you did not obey, but you did what was evil in My eyes and you chose what displeased Me."

   These are grumblers, complaining of their lot, who go along in accord with their passions, and whose mouths give vent to arrogant remarks, while they flatter to one's face in hope of gain. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Taken from Pro. 18, 11, 15, 24, Isa. 65, Jude, Heb. 10, The Modern Language, The
Revised Standard, The New International and The King James Version.
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