2 Peter 2:20

18 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.

19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.

21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them.

22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
KJV
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.
WEB
For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
ASV
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
DARBY
For if after having escaped the pollutions of the world through [the] knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, again entangled, they are subdued by these, their last state is worse than the first.
BLB
For if, having escaped from the pollutions of the world in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, now again having been entangled in these they are subdued, the last [state] has become worse to them than the first.
ÅB
For om de har flyktet fra verdens urenhet ved kunnskap om vår Herre og frelser Jesus Kristus, men så lar seg fange av den igjen og blir beseiret, er det siste verre for dem enn det første.
OTB
For hvis, etter at de har unnsluppet verdens forurensninger ved kunnskapen om Herren og Frelseren Jesus Kristus, de igjen blir viklet inn i dem og blir overvunnet, har den siste tilstanden blitt verre for dem enn den første.
B1930
For om de har flyktet bort fra verdens urenhet ved å ha lært vår Herre og frelser Jesus Kristus å kjenne, og så atter lar sig fange av den og ligger under for den, da er det siste blitt verre med dem enn det første.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Hebrews 10:26–27

    If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,

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  • Hebrews 6:4–8

    It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

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  • Philippians 3:19

    Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

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  • Luke 11:24–26

    When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 32:29

    If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.

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  • Matthew 12:43–45

    When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

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  • 2 Peter 1:4

    Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 24:20

    Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”

    Read in context