2 Peter 2:21 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

²¹ It would have been better for them if they had not known the right way [to God] than, after knowing it, to turn back from the sacred message that had been presented to them.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

²¹ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

²¹ For never to have obtained a [full, personal] knowledge of the way of righteousness would have been better for them than, having obtained [such knowledge], to turn back from the holy commandment which was [verbally] delivered to them.

American Standard Version (1901)

²¹ 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.

Common English Bible

²¹ It would be better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having come to know it, to turn back from the holy commandment entrusted to them.

Catholic Public Domain Version

²¹ For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of justice than, after acknowledging it, to turn away from that holy commandment which was handed on to them.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

²¹ For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that holy commandment which was delivered to them.

2 Peter 2:21 Cross References

Matthew 21:32

For John came to show you the way to be right with God, but you would not believe his message. Yet the tax collectors and prostitutes believed it, and when you saw this, even then you did not change your minds so as to believe his message.

Luke 12:47

And that slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not make preparations [i.e., for his master’s return], or do what his master wanted, will be whipped with many lashes.

John 15:22

The person who hates me hates my Father also.

John 9:41

Jesus said to them, “If you were [really] blind [i.e., unable to see spiritually], you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim, ‘We can see [fine],’ you remain guilty of sin.”

Romans 7:12

So, the Law of Moses itself is holy and the commandment [against sinning] is holy and just and good.

Galatians 6:2

Take on yourselves the [spiritual] burdens of one another, for in doing so you will be fulfilling Christ’s law [of love, John 13:35].

1 Thessalonians 4:2

For you know [i.e., are aware of] the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:14

to obey this command without [moral] blemish or blame. [Note: This “command” probably refers to Timothy’s responsibility to fulfill his ministry. See verses 11-12; II Tim. 4:1-2]. [Do this] until our Lord Jesus Christ returns,

Hebrews 10:26

For if we go on sinning intentionally, after we have received the full knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for [our] sins.

James 4:17

So, the person who knows the good [he ought] to be doing, but is not doing it, is sinning.

2 Peter 3:2

to remember the words spoken to you in the past by the holy prophets, and what the Lord and Savior commanded you through your apostles.

Jude 1:3

Dearly loved ones, as I was very eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we share in common, I felt it necessary [instead] to write urging you to contend earnestly for the faith [i.e., the teaching of Christ] which was once and for all delivered [by the apostles, See verse 17] to the saints [i.e., God’s holy people].