Study Desk

These, are fountains without water, and mists, by a tempest, driven along, - for whom, the gloom of darkness, hath been reserved;

For, great swelling words of vanity, uttering, they entice with carnal covetings - in wanton ways - them who are, well-nigh, escaping from the men who, in error, have their behaviour;

Promising, freedom to them, they themselves, being all the while, slaves of corruption, - for, by whom one hath been defeated, by the same, hath he become enslaved, -

For, if, having escaped from the defilements of the world by a personal knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but, by the same having again become entangled, they are defeated, the, last, state hath become, for them, worse than, the first;

For, better, had it been for them - not to have obtained a personal knowledge of the way of righteousness, than, having obtained such knowledge, to turn back out of the holy commandment delivered unto them.

There hath befallen them the thing spoken of in the true proverb - A dog, turning back unto his own vomit, and - A sow, as soon as washed, unto wallowing in mire.