2 Peter 2:9
What does 2 Peter 2:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 2:9 means
Here is Peter’s summary: the Lord knows how to deliver the godly from trial and to keep the unrighteous under restraint until the day of judgment. God’s wisdom is not theoretical; it is skill in action. He times rescues for his people and preserves evidence and penalty for the ungodly. Believers need not despair when evil seems unchecked; nor should the wicked presume upon delay. Noah and Lot prove the first truth; the angels, the Flood, and Sodom prove the second. Justice and mercy run on parallel tracks in God’s governance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The Lord is able to keep the upright safe in the time of testing, and to keep evil-doers under punishment till the day of judging;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Lord hath known to rescue pious ones out of temptation, and unrighteous ones to a day of judgment, being punished, to keep,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[the] Lord knows [how] to deliver thegodly out of trial, and to keep [the] unjust to [the] day of judgment [to be] punished;
Context
This conclusion crowns the three examples and bridges to fresh description of the present threat. Having established the certainty of both rescue and retribution, Peter will now specify who is especially under judgment—those marked by sensuality and rebellion (verses 10–11)—and will paint their character with stark imagery (verses 12–16). The shift moves from general principle to concrete application, exposing the false teachers’ audacity, irreverent speech, and animal-like instincts.
v.8(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds):
v.9This passage
v.10but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 5:19
He will deliver thee in six troubles; Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
- Proverbs 16:4
Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
- Titus 2:14
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
- 2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
- Romans 2:5
but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
- Psalms 4:3
But know that Jehovah hath set apart for himself him that is godly: Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.
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