2 Peter 2:21

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.

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.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

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

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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.
WEB
For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
ASV
For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
DARBY
For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known [it] to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
BLB
For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, having known [it], to have turned from the holy commandment having been delivered to them.
ÅB
For det hadde vært bedre for dem å ikke ha kjent rettferdighetens vei, enn å kjenne den og så vende seg bort fra det hellige budet som var overgitt dem.
OTB
For det ville vært bedre for dem ikke å ha kjent rettferdighetens vei, enn etter å ha kjent den, å vende seg bort fra det hellige bud som ble overlevert dem.
B1930
For det var bedre for dem at de ikke hadde kjent rettferdighetens vei, enn at de kjente den og så vendte sig bort fra det hellige bud som var overgitt dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezekiel 18:24

    But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 6:4–6

    For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

    Read in context
  • James 4:17

    Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

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  • Ezekiel 3:20

    Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

    Read in context
  • Luke 12:47

    And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

    Read in context
  • John 15:22

    If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

    Read in context
  • John 9:41

    Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

    Read in context
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:2

    For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

    Read in context