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2 Peter 2:17
ESV These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.
NIV These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.
NASB These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.
CSB These people are springs without water, mists driven by a storm. The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them.
NLT These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness.
KJV These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

What does 2 Peter 2:17 mean?

The false teachers in the early church were con men. Their teaching included, apparently, the ideas that Jesus was not Lord and that Christians should be free to indulge in sexual immorality (2 Peter 2:1–3). They promised greater freedom, which they claimed came from unrestrained behavior. Sadly, there are many in congregations today who encourage believers to ignore biblical warnings about sexual sins. They dismiss God's words as out of date, and inspire others to violate God's will.

Despite these false teacher's claims of better knowledge, Peter uses pictures from nature to describe their true form. Following their path will leave the thirsty unquenched. Like a dried up spring, or a lurking raincloud that provides only a bit of mist, their teaching will lead to disappointment. More than that, it will lead to destruction. These false teachers who lie about Jesus will reach the destination that is reserved for them: the blackest darkness. This is likely a description of hell, a place without even a hint of light.
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