Definition: But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Peter 2:12. It’s a really important verse about how we handle our thoughts and actions. Here's what it means, explained simply: Core Idea: This verse is saying that people who are prone to negativity, selfishness, or twisting things – even when they think they understand them – will eventually fall into bad habits and end up hurting themselves. Let’s unpack the parts: “But these, as natural brute beasts…” - This is a metaphor. "Brute beasts" means people who are uncontrolled, impulsive, and often driven by their own desires without much thought or empathy. They’re not thoughtful or wise. “…made to be taken and destroyed…” – This suggests that these people are easily tempted to do bad things. They're vulnerable to temptation and can make choices that lead to trouble. "...speak evil of the things that they understand not..." - This is the key part. They’re pretending to know something, but their understanding is flawed or incomplete. Think of it like someone trying to read a confusing book – they might think they're understanding it, but they’re actually missing crucial details. "...and shall utterly perish in their own corruption..." - This means that because they don’t understand things fully and aren’t honest with themselves, they will inevitably fall into bad habits, selfishness, or a way of thinking that leads to misery. They'll end up hurting themselves – maybe through anger, pride, dishonesty, or something else. “Perish” here implies complete destruction or ruin. In short: This verse warns us about the danger of being consumed by negative thoughts and actions when we don’t fully understand things. It encourages us to seek truth and be honest with ourselves. Why is this important? It's a reminder that we all have tendencies – sometimes good, sometimes bad. The key is to stay aware of these tendencies and actively work towards understanding and growth. It's about striving for righteousness and avoiding things that will ultimately harm us. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you a related Bible passage?