⁴ Do not be like your ancestors,^(A) to whom the earlier prophets^(B) proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways^(C) and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me,^(D) declares the Lord.^(E)

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^(A)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(A) and is useful for teaching,^(B) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^(C)

Prophecy of Scripture

¹² So I will always remind you of these things,^(A) even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth^(B) you now have. ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory^(C) as long as I live in the tent of this body,^{(D) 14} because I know that I will soon put it aside,^(E) as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.^{(F) 15} And I will make every effort to see that after my departure^(G) you will always be able to remember these things.

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,^(H) but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.^{(I) 17} He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”^{[a](J) 18} We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.^(K)

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,^(L) and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light^(M) shining in a dark place, until the day dawns^(N) and the morning star^(O) rises in your hearts.^(P)