Greetings from Peter
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained the same precious faith with us, through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Make Your Calling Sure
3 His divine power has granted to us everything that pertains to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises, that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption of this world, caused by carnal desires.
5 For this very reason, with diligence on your part:
add to your faith, moral excellence,
and to moral excellence, knowledge,
6 and to knowledge, self-control,
and to self-control perseverance,
and to perseverance godliness,
7 and to godliness brotherly affection,
and to brotherly affection, love.
8 For if these things abound in you, they will prevent you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his former sins.
10 Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, you will be richly supplied for the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Remember These Things
12 Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth present in you. 13 I think it is right, as long as I am in this earthly tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly, I will be putting aside this tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
We were Eyewitnesses
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the majestic glory of God,
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” a
18 We heard this voice coming from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 We have the more reliable word of prophecy, and you would do well to heed it, like a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from a prophet’s own private interpretation. 21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.