⁴ The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. ⁵ We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,

¹⁵ But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.^{(A) 16} And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].

Eyewitnesses

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised stories or myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were ^[a]eyewitnesses of His majesty [His grandeur, His authority, His sovereignty]. ¹⁷ For when He was invested with honor and [the radiance of the ^[b]Shekinah] glory from God the Father, such a voice as this came to Him from the [splendid] Majestic Glory [in the bright cloud that overshadowed Him, saying], ^[c]“This is My Son, My Beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased and delighted”—^{(A) 18} and we [actually] heard this voice made from heaven when we were together with Him on the holy mountain.^(B)

¹⁹ So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the ^[d]morning star arises in your hearts.^{(C) 20 [e]}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

2 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. ² Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. ³ 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].