2 Peter 2:18

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
KJV
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
WEB
For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;
ASV
For, uttering great swelling [words] of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
DARBY
For [while] speaking great highflown words of vanity, they allure with [the] lusts of [the] flesh, by dissoluteness, those who have just fled those who walk in error,
BLB
For speaking great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the passions of the flesh to sensuality those barely escaping from those conducting themselves in error,
ÅB
For når de taler skrytende, tomme ord, forlokker de i kjøttets lyster ved skamløshet dem som nettopp har flyktet fra dem som lever i villfarelse,
OTB
For mens de taler ut arrogante ord uten verdi, lokker de ved kjødelige lyster, ved usømmelig oppførsel, de som knapt unnslipper fra de som lever i villfarelse,
B1930
For idet de taler skrytende, tomme ord, forlokker de i kjødslyster ved usedelighet dem som just har flyktet bort fra dem som ferdes i forvillelse,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Peter 2:20

    For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:15–16

    To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

    Read in context
  • Romans 13:13

    Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

    Read in context
  • James 5:5

    Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 13:5–6

    And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

    Read in context
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4

    Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 1:4

    Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 13:11

    And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

    Read in context