17 (A)[a]These are [b]wells without water, and clouds carried about with a tempest, to whom the [c]black darkness is reserved forever.

18 For in speaking [d]swelling words of vanity, they [e]beguile with wantonness through the lusts of the flesh them that were [f]clean escaped from them which are wrapped in error,

19 Promising unto them liberty, and are themselves the (B)servants of corruption: for of whomsoever a man is overcome, even unto the same is he in bondage.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 2:17 Another note whereby they may be well known what manner of men they are, because they have inwardly nothing but either utterly vain or very hurtful, although they make a show of some great goodness: but they shall not escape unpunished for it, because under pretence of false liberty, they draw men into most miserable slavery of sin.
  2. 2 Peter 2:17 Which boast of knowledge, and have nothing in them.
  3. 2 Peter 2:17 Most gross darkness.
  4. 2 Peter 2:18 They deceive men with vain and swelling words.
  5. 2 Peter 2:18 They take them as fishes are taken with the hook.
  6. 2 Peter 2:18 Unfeignedly and indeed clean departed from Idolatry.

17 These people are springs without water(A) and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.(B) 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words(C) and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping(D) from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”(E)

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