Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: ²Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³seeing that his divine power 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, ⁴by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. ⁵Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; ⁶and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness; ⁷and in godliness, brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. ⁸For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. ¹⁰Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. ¹¹For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

¹²Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth. ¹³I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, ¹⁴knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure. ¹⁶For we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷For he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

¹⁹We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts, ²⁰knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. ²¹For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.