The Second of Peter
1 Simon Peter, a slave+ and apostle+ of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith, held in equal privilege with ours,+ by the righteousness+ of our God* and [the] Savior Jesus Christ:*+
2 May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to YOU+ by an accurate knowledge+ of God and of Jesus* our Lord, 3 forasmuch as his divine power* has given us freely all the things that concern life+ and godly devotion,+ through the accurate knowledge of the one who called+ us through glory+ and virtue. 4 Through these things he has freely given us the precious and very grand promises,+ that through these YOU may become sharers in divine+ nature,*+ having escaped from the corruption that is in the world+ through lust.
5 Yes, for this very reason, by YOUR contributing in response all earnest effort,+ supply to YOUR faith virtue,+ to [YOUR] virtue knowledge,+ 6 to [YOUR] knowledge self-control, to [YOUR] self-control+ endurance, to [YOUR] endurance godly devotion,+ 7 to [YOUR] godly devotion brotherly affection, to [YOUR] brotherly affection love.+ 8 For if these things exist in YOU and overflow, they will prevent YOU from being either inactive or unfruitful*+ regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For if these things are not present in anyone, he is blind, shutting his eyes [to the light],*+ and has become forgetful+ of his cleansing+ from his sins of long ago. 10 For this reason, brothers, all the more do YOUR utmost to make the calling+ and choosing+ of YOU sure for yourselves; for if YOU keep on doing these things YOU will by no means ever fail.+ 11 In fact, thus there will be richly supplied to YOU the entrance+ into the everlasting+ kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.+
12 For this reason I shall be disposed always to remind+ YOU of these things, although YOU know [them] and are firmly set in the truth+ that is present [in YOU].+ 13 But I consider it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle,+ to rouse YOU up by way of reminding YOU,+ 14 knowing as I do that the putting off of my tabernacle is soon to be,*+ just as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me.+ 15 So I will do my utmost also at every time that, after my departure,+ YOU may be able to make mention of these things* for yourselves.
16 No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories+ that we acquainted YOU with the power and presence* of our Lord Jesus Christ,+ but it was by having become eyewitnesses of his magnificence.+ 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory,+ when words such as these* were borne to him by the magnificent glory: “This is my son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.”*+ 18 Yes, these words* we heard+ borne from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain.+
19 Consequently we have the prophetic word+ [made] more sure;+ and YOU are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp+ shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar*+ rises, in YOUR hearts. 20 For YOU know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation.*+ 21 For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will,+ but men spoke from God+ as they were borne along by holy spirit.+