2 Peter 2:21 - 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.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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

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.

Common English Bible

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

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.