2 Peter 2:21

For, better, had it been for them—not to have obtained a personal knowledge of the way of righteousness, than, having obtained such knowledge, to turn back out of the holy commandment delivered unto them.

The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham

In The King James Version

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

In Context

20For, if, having escaped from the defilements of the world by a personal knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but, by the same having again become entangled, they are defeated, the, last, state hath become, for them, worse than, the first;

22There hath befallen them the thing [spoken of] in the true proverb—A dog, turning back unto his own vomit, and—A sow, as soon as washed, unto wallowing in mire.

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Cross References

Psalms 125:5As for them who turn aside unto their crooked ways, Yahweh, will lead them forth, with the workers of iniquity, Prosperity on Israel!

Proverbs 16:31A crown of adorning, is a hoary head, in the way of righteousness, it should be found.

Ezekiel 18:24But, when a righteous man, shall turn away, from his righteousness and do that which is perverse, Shall do, according to all the abominations which the lawless man hath done, Shall he live? None of his righteous acts which he hath done, shall be remembered, In his treachery wherein he hath been treacherous, And in his sin wherein he hath sinned, In them, shall he die.

Zephaniah 1:6And them who turn away from following Yahweh,—and have neither sought Yahweh, nor enquired for him.

Matthew 21:32For John came unto you, in a way of righteousness, and ye believed him not,—but, the tax-collectors and the harlots, believed him; and, ye, seeing it, were not even smitten with regret, afterwards, so as to believe him.

John 9:41Jesus said unto them—If, blind, ye had been, ye had not had sin; but, now, ye say, We see, your sin, abideth.

Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 2:11-22

False Teachers. ( a. d. 67.) 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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