¹⁷ These are ^(A)springs without water and mists driven by a storm, ^(B)for whom the ^[a]black darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ For, while speaking out ^(C)arrogant words of no ^(D)value they ^(E)entice by fleshly desires, by ^(F)indecent behavior, those who barely ^(G)escape from the ones who live in error, ¹⁹ promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for ^(H)by what anyone is overcome, by this he is enslaved. ²⁰ For if, after they have ^(I)escaped the defilements of the world by ^(J)the knowledge of the ^(K)Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again ^(L)entangled in them and are overcome, ^(M)the last state has become worse for them than the first. ^21 (N)For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from ^(O)the holy commandment ^(P)handed on to them. ^22 [b]It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “^(Q)A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”