16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey-an animal without speech-who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
16 But Balaam was stopped in his wayward tracks: A dumb animal spoke in a human voice and prevented the prophet's craziness.
16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Peter 2:16
Commentary on 2 Peter 2:10-16
(Read 2 Peter 2:10-16)
Impure seducers and their abandoned followers, give themselves up to their own fleshly minds. Refusing to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ, they act against God's righteous precepts. They walk after the flesh, they go on in sinful courses, and increase to greater degrees of impurity and wickedness. They also despise those whom God has set in authority over them, and requires them to honour. Outward temporal good things are the wages sinners expect and promise themselves. And none have more cause to tremble, than those who are bold to gratify their sinful lusts, by presuming on the Divine grace and mercy. Many such there have been, and are, who speak lightly of the restraints of God's law, and deem themselves freed from obligations to obey it. Let Christians stand at a distance from such.