For if
having escaped the pollutions of the world
by the knowledge of the Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
they (the false teachers?)
having been entangled
are defeated again
by them (the pollutions) –
The last (condition)
would be worse for them than
the first. 1
For it was better for them
not to have come to know
the way of righteousness,
than to turn from
the holy command,
that has been given (to them).
The true proverb has happened to them
A dog returns to its vomit,2
and
A sow washes herself (by) wallowing in the mud.
Lord God,
you feed us with the living bread from heaven;
you renew our faith,
increase our hope,
and strengthen our love.
Teach us to hunger
for Christ who is the true and living bread,
and to live by every word
that comes from your mouth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.