Greeting

1 Simeon^[a] Peter,^(A) a slave and an apostle^(B) of Jesus Christ:

To those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours^[b] through the righteousness^(C) of our God and Savior^(D) Jesus Christ.

² May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God^(E) and of Jesus our Lord.

Growth in the Faith

³ His^[c] divine power^(F) has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge^(G) of Him who called^(H) us by^[d] His own glory and goodness. ⁴ By these He has given us very great and precious promises,^(I) so that through them you may share in the divine nature,^(J) escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, ⁶ knowledge with self-control,^(K) self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, ⁷ godliness with brotherly affection,^(L) and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless^(M) or unfruitful^(N) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election,^(O) because if you do these things you will never stumble. ¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom^(P) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.

¹² Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth^(Q) you have. ¹³ I consider it right, as long as I am in this bodily tent,^[e](R) to wake you up with a reminder, ¹⁴ knowing that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has also shown me.^{(S) 15} And I will also make every effort that you may be able to recall these things at any time after my departure.^[f]

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;^(T) instead, we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.^{(U) 17} For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, a voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory:

¹⁸ And we heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with Him on the holy mountain.^{(W) 19} So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place,^(X) until the day dawns^(Y) and the morning star^(Z) rises in your hearts. ²⁰ First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by the will of man;^(AA) instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.^(AB)