² Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

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)

¹⁸ But grow in the grace^(A) and knowledge^(B) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(C) To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.^(D)

⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(A) you have for all God’s people^(B)— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope^(C) stored up for you in heaven^(D) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(E) of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(F) and growing throughout the whole world^(G)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.