2 Peter

The second epistle general of Peter, chapter 1, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 1 New English Translation

Salutation

   1 From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours. 2 May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our LORD!

Believers' Salvation and the Work of God

   3 I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. 4 Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; 6 to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; 7 to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. 8 For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our LORD Jesus Christ more intimately. 9 But concerning the one who lacks such things - he is blind. That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin. 11 For thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be richly provided for you.

Salvation Based on the Word of God

   12 Therefore, I intend to remind you constantly of these things even though you know them and are well established in the truth that you now have. 13 Indeed, as long as I am in this tabernacle, I consider it right to stir you up by way of a reminder, 14 since I know that my tabernacle will soon be removed, because our LORD Jesus Christ revealed this to me. 15 Indeed, I will also make every effort that, after my departure, you have a testimony of these things.
   16 For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our LORD Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: "This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted." 18 When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet's own imagination, 21 for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

King James Version

   1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
   2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
   3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
   4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
   5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
   6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
   7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
   8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
   10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
   11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
   12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
   13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
   14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
   15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
   16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
   17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
   18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
   19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
   20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
   21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.