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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

2 Peter 2:20–22

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
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.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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3 selected · 7 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

11 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 20

  1. Hebrews 10:26–27Rank 1 from verse 20
    Open

    26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

    27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

  2. Hebrews 6:4–8Rank 2 from verse 20
    Open

    4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

    5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

    6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

    7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

    8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

  3. Philippians 3:19Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

  4. Luke 11:24–26Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

    25And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

    26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

  5. Deuteronomy 32:29Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

    29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

From verse 21

  1. Ezekiel 18:24Rank 1 from verse 21
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    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.

  2. Hebrews 6:4–6Rank 2 from verse 21
    Open

    4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

    5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

    6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

  3. James 4:17Rank 3 from verse 21
    Open

    17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

  4. Ezekiel 3:20Rank 4 from verse 21
    Open

    20Again, 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.

  5. Luke 12:47Rank 5 from verse 21
    Open

    47And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

From verse 22

  1. Proverbs 26:11Rank 1 from verse 22
    Open

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

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

2 Peter 2:20

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

escaped

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of escape, meaning to flee from and avoid; to get out of the way; to shun; to obtain security from; to pass without harm.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Lord

↗

1. A title of God or Jesus Christ acknowledging authority and rule. 2. A respectful title or address for one in authority.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

saviour

↗

One who saves, rescues, preserves, or delivers; a title applied supremely to God and to Jesus Christ.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Jesus Christ

↗

The eternal Word and Son of God, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

entangled

↗

Caught, enclosed, intertwined, involved, or hindered so that free movement or liberty is restrained.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

therein

↗

In, within, during, or concerning that place, person, thing, condition, time, or matter previously mentioned.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

latter

↗

Coming, occurring, or mentioned after another; the later or last of two.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

end

↗

Sense 1: The last or concluding part, termination, or limit. Sense 2: A purpose or intended result. Sense 3: As a verb, to cease or bring to a close.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

2 Peter 2:21

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

turn

↗

Sense 1: To change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change. Sense 2: One’s time or occasion in an order or succession.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

holy

↗

Sense 1: Morally pure, righteous, undefiled, and separate from evil; supremely so of God. Sense 2: Hallowed, consecrated, set apart, devoted, or belonging to God or sacred use; distinguished from what is common, profane, or unclean.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

commandment

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative command, charge, order, or precept to be obeyed. Sense 2: One of the ten commandments.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

delivered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of deliver. Sense 1: To rescue, save, free, or bring safely out of danger or bondage. Sense 2: To hand over, give up, or place into another's power or possession. Sense 3: To bring forth, convey, declare, or commit something to another. Sense 4: To give birth or be delivered of a child.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

2 Peter 2:22

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

happened

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of happen, meaning to light; to fall or come unexpectedly. To come by chance; to come without one’s previous expectation; to fall out. To come; to befall.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

true

↗

Conforming to fact, reality, or a right standard; faithful, genuine, correct, or dependable.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dog

↗

Sense 1: The animal that barks, laps, scavenges, and may attack. Sense 2: A term of contempt for a person regarded as low, despised, unclean, or hostile.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

turned

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of turn, meaning to change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vomit

↗

Sense 1: Matter cast from the stomach. Sense 2: As a verb, to eject it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sow

↗

Sense 1: To scatter or plant seed. Sense 2: Figuratively, to spread what will produce a result. Sense 3: An adult female swine.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

washed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of wash, meaning to cleanse with water or another liquid; to bathe or cause water to pass over.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wallowing

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of wallow, meaning to roll oneself about in mud, ashes, or filth.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · 2 Peter 2:1–22

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Read all 22 verses in 2 Peter 2:1–22

2:1BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2:2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2:5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

2:6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

2:7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

2:8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2:10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

2:11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

2:12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

2:13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

2:14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

2:15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2:16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

2:17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

2:18For 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.

2:19While 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.

2:20For 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.

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2:21For 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.

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2:22But 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.

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