2 Peter 2:21
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“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.”
A short, plain-language explanation of 2 Peter 2:21 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“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.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“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.”
King James Version · Public Domain“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.”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“for it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of the righteousness, than having acknowledged <FI>it<Fi> , to turn back from the holy command delivered to them,”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo 2 Peter 2:21 — 17 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 36:3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.
- Psalms 125:5But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.
- Proverbs 12:28There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
- Proverbs 16:31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
- Ezekiel 3:20Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.
- Ezekiel 18:24But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.
- Ezekiel 23:13And I saw that she too had defiled herself; both of them had taken the same path.
- Zephaniah 1:6and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”
- Matthew 11:23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
- Matthew 21:32For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
- Luke 12:47That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
- John 9:41“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
- Romans 7:12So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:2For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
- Hebrews 6:4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- James 4:17Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).