1:1 | From Simeon* Peter,* a slave* and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God* and Savior,* Jesus Christ, have been granted* a faith just as precious* as ours. |
1:2 | May grace and peace be lavished on you* as you grow* in the rich knowledge* of God and of Jesus our Lord!* |
1:3 | I can pray this because his divine power* has bestowed on us everything necessary* for life and godliness through the rich knowledge* of the one who called* us by* his own glory and excellence. |
1:4 | Through these things* he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised* you may become partakers of the divine nature,* after escaping* the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.* |
1:5 | For this very reason,* make every effort* to add to your faith excellence,* to excellence, knowledge; |
1:6 | to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance;* to perseverance, godliness; |
1:7 | to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish* love.* |
1:8 | For if* these things are really yours* and are continually increasing,* they will keep you from becoming* ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of* knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately.* |
1:9 | But* concerning the one who lacks such things* – he is blind. That is to say, he is* nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins. |
1:10 | Therefore, brothers and sisters,* make every effort to be sure of your calling and election.* For by doing this* you will never* stumble into sin.* |
1:11 | For thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be richly provided for you. |
1:12 | Therefore, I intend to remind you constantly* of these things even though you know them and are well established in the truth that you now have. |
1:13 | Indeed, as long as I am in this tabernacle,* I consider it right to stir you up by way of a reminder, |
1:14 | since I know that my tabernacle will soon be removed,* because* our Lord Jesus Christ revealed this to me.* |
1:15 | Indeed, I will also make every effort that, after my departure, you have a testimony of these things.* |
1:16 | For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return* of our Lord Jesus Christ;* no,* we were* eyewitnesses of his* grandeur.* |
1:17 | For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that* voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: “This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted.”* |
1:18 | When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves* heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain.* |
1:19 | Moreover,* we* possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing.* You do well if you pay attention* to this* as you would* to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star* rises in your hearts.* |
1:20 | Above all, you do well if you recognize* this:* No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination,* |
1:21 | for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men* carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. |