Salutation

11 [1]Simon Peter , a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ , To those who have received a faith of the same [2]kind as ours , [3]by the righteousness of our God and Savior , Jesus Christ : 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord ;

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness , through the true knowledge of Him who called us [4]by His own glory and [5]excellence . 4 [6]For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises , so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature , having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust .

5 Now for this very reason also , applying all diligence , in your faith supply moral [7]excellence , and in your moral excellence , knowledge , 6 and in your knowledge , self-control , and in your self-control , perseverance , and in your perseverance , godliness , 7 and in your godliness , brotherly kindness , and in your brotherly kindness , love . 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing , they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ . 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted , having forgotten e his purification from his former sins . 10 Therefore , brethren , be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things , you will never e e stumble ; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

12 Therefore , I will always be ready to remind you of these things , even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right , as long as I am in this earthly dwelling , to stir you up by way of reminder , 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent , as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind .

Eyewitnesses of Christ's Glory

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ , but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty . 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father , such an [8] utterance as this was [9]made to Him by the Majestic Glory , "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased "- 18 and we ourselves heard this [10]utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain .

19 [11]So we have the prophetic word made more sure , to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place , until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts . 20 But know this first of all, that no e prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation , 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will , but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God .