2 Peter 1

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours because of the righteousness shown by our God, and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

By his divine power he has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue.

By these things he has given to us precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

Now for that very reason, make every effort to add to your trust, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness;

and to godliness, affection for God’s family; and to affection for God’s family, love.

For if these things are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the one who lacks these things is blind, because he is nearsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make your calling and being chosen firm, because if you do these things, you will never stumble.

For in this way a rich welcome into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be provided to you.

Therefore, I intend to always remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you now have.

And I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up with a reminder,

because I know that the laying aside of my tent is coming soon, just as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

And I will also make every effort so that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

For we did not follow cunningly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, instead we were eyewitnesses of his majesty,

for he received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”

And we ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain,

and since we have a more reliable prophetic word, you will do well to pay attention to it as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,

because no prophecy ever came from an act of human will, but people spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.