¹⁹ While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of ^[a]corruption; ^(A)for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into ^[b]bondage. ²⁰ For if, after they ^(B)have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are ^(C)again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. ²¹ For ^(D)it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. ²² But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ^(E)“A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

¹⁷ And these ^(A)signs will follow those who ^[a]believe: ^(B)In My name they will cast out demons; ^(C)they will speak with new tongues;

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but ^(A)overcome evil with good.

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than ^(A)he who is in the world.