God’s Children and Sin

²⁸ And now, dear children,^(A) continue in him, so that when he appears^(B) we may be confident^(C) and unashamed before him at his coming.^(D)

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^(A) may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom^(B) and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened^(C) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called^(D) you, the riches^(E) of his glorious inheritance^(F) in his holy people,^(G)

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

³ His divine power^(A) has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him^(B) who called us^(C) by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,^(D) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,^(E) having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.^(F)

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;^{(G) 6} and to knowledge, self-control;^(H) and to self-control, perseverance;^(I) and to perseverance, godliness;^{(J) 7} and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.^{(K) 8} For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive^(L) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(M) 9} But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,^(N) forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.^(O)

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^[a] make every effort to confirm your calling^(P) and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,^{(Q) 11} and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom^(R) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(S)