20 Above all, you must understand(A) that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God(B) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.(C)

False Teachers and Their Destruction

But there were also false prophets(D) among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.(E) They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord(F) who bought them(G)—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct(H) and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed(I) these teachers will exploit you(J) with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

20 [a]But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Rise of False Prophets

But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. And in their greed they will exploit you with false arguments and twisted doctrine. Their sentence [of condemnation which God has decreed] from a time long ago is not idle [but is still in force], and their destruction and deepening misery is not asleep [but is on its way].

Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 1:20 Or For you know.

20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,[a] 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

The Danger of False Teachers

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

Footnotes

  1. 1:20 Or is a matter of one’s own interpretation.

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For (A)no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God (B)as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

False Prophets and Teachers

But (C)false prophets also arose among the people, (D)just as there will be false teachers among you, who will (E)secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master (F)who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth (G)will be blasphemed. And (H)in their greed they will exploit you (I)with false words. (J)Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.