2 Peter 2:21

KJV1611 – Modern English

For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

    For it would have been 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.

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard 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.

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    For{G1063} it were better{G2909} for{G1063} them{G846} not{G3361} to have known{G1921} the way{G3598} of righteousness,{G1343} than,{G2228} after knowing{G1921} it, to turn{G1994} back from{G1537} the{G1785} holy{G40} commandment{G1785} delivered{G3860} unto them.{G846}

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    For{G1063} it had been{G2258}{(G5713)} better{G2909} for them{G846} not{G3361} to have known{G1921}{(G5760)} the way{G3598} of righteousness{G1343}, than{G2228}, after they have known{G1921}{(G5631)} it, to turn{G1994}{(G5658)} from{G1537} the holy{G40} commandment{G1785} delivered{G3860}{(G5685)} unto them{G846}.

  • Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

    For it had bene better for the not to have knowne ye waye of righteousnes then after they have knowe it to turne fro the holy comaundmet geve vnto them.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    For it had bene better for them, not to haue knowne the waye of righteousnes, then after they haue knowne it, to turne from the holy commaundemet, that was geuen vnto them.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    For it had bene better for them, not to haue acknowledged the way of righteousnes, then after they haue acknowledged it, to turne from the holy commaundement giuen vnto them.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    For it had ben better for them not to haue knowen the way of righteousnes, then after they haue knowen it, to turne from the holy commaundement that was geuen vnto them.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    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.

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    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.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    for it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of the righteousness, than having acknowledged `it', to turn back from the holy command delivered to them,

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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 (1901)

    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.

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    For it would have been better for them to have had no knowledge of the way of righteousness, than to go back again from the holy law which was given to them, after having knowledge of it.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    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.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them.

Referenced Verses

  • Ezek 18:24 : 24 But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, should he live? All his righteousness that he has done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he shall die.
  • Luke 12:47 : 47 And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
  • Heb 6:4-6 : 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 And have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
  • Jas 4:17 : 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
  • Ezek 3:20 : 20 Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand.
  • John 9:41 : 41 Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.
  • John 15:22 : 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
  • Zeph 1:6 : 6 And those that have turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for Him.
  • Rom 7:12 : 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
  • 1 Thess 4:2 : 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
  • Matt 11:23-24 : 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, shall be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.
  • Matt 21:32 : 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and harlots believed him, and when you had seen it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.
  • Ezek 23:13 : 13 Then I saw that she was defiled, that they both followed the same way,
  • Ps 36:3-4 : 3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he has ceased to be wise, and to do good. 4 He devises mischief upon his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not abhor evil.
  • Ps 125:5 : 5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them away with the workers of iniquity; peace shall be upon Israel.
  • Prov 12:28 : 28 In the path of righteousness there is life, and in its way there is no death.
  • Prov 16:31 : 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • 2 Pet 2:18-20
    3 verses
    86%

    18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through wantonness, those who have barely escaped from those who live in error.

    19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

    20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

  • 2 Pet 2:22
    81%

    22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "The dog returns to his own vomit," and "the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

  • Job 34:27
    71%

    27 Because they turned back from Him and would not consider any of His ways.

  • Titus 1:16
    71%

    16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

  • Heb 6:6
    71%

    6 If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

  • 2 Pet 2:14-15
    2 verses
    70%

    14 Having eyes full of adultery and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices and are accursed children.

    15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

  • Gal 4:9
    70%

    9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how do you turn again to the weak and beggarly principles, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

  • Jas 4:17
    70%

    17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

  • Prov 2:13
    70%

    13 Who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness;

  • 2 Pet 3:17
    70%

    17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

  • Jude 1:10-11
    2 verses
    70%

    10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.

    11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

  • 1 Tim 1:6
    69%

    6 From which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,

  • 1 Tim 5:12
    69%

    12 Having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.

  • 2 Tim 3:7
    69%

    7 Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

  • Heb 10:26
    69%

    26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

  • 2 Pet 2:2
    69%

    2 And many will follow their pernicious ways; by whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

  • Rom 1:28
    69%

    28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

  • 2 Tim 3:9
    69%

    9 But they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifested to all, as theirs also was.

  • Luke 17:2
    69%

    2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

  • Prov 1:32
    68%

    32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the prosperity of fools will destroy them.

  • 2 Tim 3:5
    68%

    5 Having a form of godliness but denying its power. From such turn away.

  • Titus 3:11
    68%

    11 Knowing that such a person is warped and sinful, being self-condemned.

  • Heb 6:4
    68%

    4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,

  • 2 Thess 2:12
    68%

    12 That they all might be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

  • 1 Sam 12:21
    68%

    21 And do not turn aside: for then you should go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

  • Ezek 33:18
    68%

    18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it.

  • Rom 1:21-22
    2 verses
    68%

    21 Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

    22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

  • Eph 4:19
    68%

    19 Who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

  • Prov 1:29
    68%

    29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD;

  • Jude 1:4-5
    2 verses
    68%

    4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lewdness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

    5 I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

  • Zeph 1:6
    68%

    6 And those that have turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for Him.

  • Prov 26:11
    68%

    11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

  • Prov 19:2
    68%

    2 Also, for the soul to be without knowledge is not good; and he who hurries with his feet sins.

  • Mark 4:12
    68%

    12 that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

  • Rom 3:17
    68%

    17 'And the way of peace they have not known:'

  • 1 John 2:19
    67%

    19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

  • Jer 9:13
    67%

    13 And the LORD says, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, nor walked in it;

  • 2 Pet 2:12
    67%

    12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption;

  • Rom 6:21
    67%

    21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

  • 2 Tim 3:13
    67%

    13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

  • Jer 2:19
    67%

    19 Your own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and that my fear is not in you, says the Lord GOD of hosts.

  • Ezek 18:26
    67%

    26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies in them; for his iniquity that he has done he shall die.

  • Jer 23:22
    67%

    22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.

  • 2 Thess 2:10
    67%

    10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.