2 Peter 1
To Those Who Are Prepared to Advance (1:1–4)
1 Simeon Peter, bondman and Apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained the same precious covenant as we have in the justification of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 May grace and peace be multiplied unto you by your recognition of God and Jesus our Lord.
3 Whereas his divine power has bestowed upon us all things that will lead us to life and piety, through the recognition of him who has called us to his own glory and excellence;
4 and also, through these things God has gifted us the greatest and most valuable promises, so that through these things you might share in the divine nature, having fled from the ruin in the world because of inappropriate desire:
The Starting Point (1:5–9)
5 Now, this being the case: applying all exertion, add to your faithfulness, excellence; and to your excellence, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, piety; 7 and to piety, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, add charity. 8 While these characteristics are present and abound in you, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if these things are not present in any person, that person is blind—myopic—forgetting long ago the cleansing of his sins.
The Goal of Knowing with Assurance (1:10–11)
10 Instead, brothers and sisters, earnestly make your calling and election sure. For by doing these things, you shall never ever stumble. 11 For richly in this way, entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be provided for you.
Peter Testifies, Even as He Prepares to Die (1:12–15)
12 Therefore, I will always be likely to remind you of these things, even if you already know them and are firmly set in the truth at hand.
13 Indeed, I think it is right, as long as I am in this “tent” of flesh, to awaken you in remembrance, 14 for I know that very soon I will put aside my “tent,” just as our Lord Jesus Christ has made plain to me. 15 Nevertheless, I will eagerly make it possible, each time you have need, to recall these things after my departure.
Knowledge Is Revealed by the Voice of God (1:16–21)
16 For we have not followed sophistic myths when we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we became endowed eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from Heavenly Father honor and glory, when a voice enveloped him under from his majestic splendor saying: “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice emanating from heaven, when we were with him up on the sacred mountain.
19 We have, therefore, the more sure prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention, as you would to a lamp that shines in a dark place, until when day breaks and the morning star rises again in your hearts. 20 But first know this, that every prophecy in scripture did not come about by one’s own explanation. 21 For prophecy does not come about from the will of mankind, but men speak prophecies of God as they are carried about by the Holy Ghost.
