12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,for he refreshes the heart of his masters. 14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given. 15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. 16 You have found honey—eat only what is sufficient for you,lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up.

10 But these men do not understand the things they slander, and they are being destroyed by the very things that, like irrational animals, they instinctively comprehend. 11 Woe to them! For they have traveled down Cain’s path, and because of greed have abandoned themselves to Balaam’s error; hence, they will certainly perish in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These men are dangerous reefs at your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit—twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild sea waves, spewing out the foam of their shame; wayward stars for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness have been reserved. 14 Now Enoch, the seventh in descent beginning with Adam, even prophesied of them, saying, “Look! The Lord is coming with thousands and thousands of his holy ones,