2 Peter 1

1 Simon Peter [Simeon, an apostle of Jesus Christ], a servant [slave, bond servant] and apostle [messenger, delegate] of Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], To those who through the righteousness [justness, uprightness] of our God [the one true deity] and Savior [Deliverer, Rescuer] Jesus Christ [the Lord, Redeemer] have received a faith [trust, confidence] as precious [valuable, highly esteemed] as ours [equally valuable, like ours]: word study 2 Grace [unmerited favor, divine kindness] and peace [harmony, inner tranquility] be multiplied [increased, abundantly bestowed] to you through the knowledge [deep understanding, recognition] of God [the one true deity] and of Jesus [God is salvation] our Lord [Master, Savior]. word study 3 His [having a divine nature] divine power [miraculous ability, strength] has given us everything [all things, every necessary resource] we need for life [physical and spiritual existence] and godliness [piety, reverence for God] through the knowledge [deep understanding, recognition] of Him who called us by His own glory [honor, praise] and excellence [virtue, moral goodness]. word study 4 Through these [exceeding great and precious promises] He has given us His [highly valued and loved] precious and [great, magnificent] magnificent promises, so that through them [by these, through these promises] you may become partakers [participants, having God’s nature] of the [godlike, divine] divine nature, now that you have escaped [fled, gotten away from] the [decay, ruin, destructive power] corruption in the world [the orderly arrangement, the world system] caused by [strong desires, longings, evil lusts] evil desires. word study 5 For this very reason [because of God’s great work], make every effort [giving all diligence, being earnest] to add to your faith [trust and confidence in God] virtue [moral excellence, goodness]; and to virtue [excellence of character], knowledge [understanding of spiritual truth, insight]; word study 6 and to knowledge [spiritual understanding, insight into God’s truth], self-control [temperance, mastery over one’s desires]; and to self-control, perseverance [patient endurance, steadfastness]; and to perseverance, godliness [piety, reverence for God, devoutness]; word study 7 and to godliness [piety, reverence for God], brotherly kindness [affection for fellow believers, love of the brothers]; and to brotherly kindness [brotherly love, charity], love [unconditional love, agape]. word study 8 For if you possess these qualities [having a strong character, moral excellence] and continue to grow [increase, abound] in them, they will keep you from being [render you not] ineffective [idle, barren] and unproductive [unfruitful, without spiritual fruit] in your knowledge [deep understanding, recognition] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, God’s Son]. word study 9 But whoever lacks [is without, does not possess] these traits [qualities, characteristics] is nearsighted [blind, unable to see afar] to the point of blindness [spiritual darkness, inability to discern], having forgotten [become forgetful, neglected to remember] that he has been cleansed [purified, made clean] from his past [old, former] sins [transgressions, rebellions against God]. word study 10 Therefore [for this reason, in light of this], brothers [fellow believers, Christian siblings], strive [be eager, make every effort] to make your calling [invitation to salvation, divine summons] and election [God’s selection, choosing] sure [firm, secure, stable]. For if you practice [do, carry out, put into action] these things [good works, righteous deeds] you will never stumble [fall, sin, fail morally], word study 11 and you will receive [a tremendous welcome, richly supplied] a lavish reception [an entrance, a way into] into the eternal [age-during, forever] kingdom [royal power, dominion] of our Lord [God, Master] and Savior [Deliverer, Rescuer] Jesus Christ [the Anointed, the Messiah]. word study 12 Therefore [for this reason, because of this] I will always [continually, forever] remind [bring to your remembrance, quietly suggest] you of these things [matters, truths], even though [although, despite] you know [are aware of, perceive] them and are established [firmly set, grounded] in the truth [reality, divine truth] you now [currently, at this time] have [possess, hold]. word study 13 I think [consider it just] it is right [just, fair, and innocent] to refresh [stir up, arouse] your memory [remembrance, reminder] as long as I live [exist, am present] in the tent [tabernacle, temporary dwelling] of my body [flesh, physical form], word study 14 because I know [am conscious, have been made aware] that this tent [tabernacle, temporary dwelling] will soon [swiftly, in a short time] be laid aside [put off, removed], as our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, God’s salvation] has made clear [signified, revealed] to me. word study 15 And I will make every effort [be eager, diligent] to ensure that after my departure [exit, death], you will be able to recall [have remembrance, call to mind] these things at all times [always, every time]. word study 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised [cunningly devised, cleverly invented] fables [myths, stories put together by art] when we made known [informed, revealed] to you the power [strength, miraculous ability] and coming [presence, being near] of our Lord [Master, God] Jesus Christ [the Anointed, Messiah], but we were eyewitnesses [those who saw with their own eyes] of His majesty [glory, splendor]. word study 17 For He received honor [honor and dignity] and [majestic] glory from God [the Father, the supreme deity] the Father when the [audible] voice came to Him from the [excellent, majestic] Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My [beloved, cherished] beloved Son, in whom I am [well pleased, delighted] well pleased.” word study 18 And we ourselves [as eyewitnesses] heard this voice [a sound from heaven, a divine message] from heaven [the spiritual realm, God’s dwelling place] when we were with Him [in close fellowship, in His presence] on the holy [set apart, sacred] mountain [a high elevation, a place of divine encounter]. word study 19 We also have the word [prophetic message, divine utterance] of the prophets as confirmed [made more sure, absolutely trustworthy] beyond doubt. And you will do well [act wisely, pay close attention] to pay attention to it, as to a lamp [light, shining beacon] shining in a dark [dingy, obscure] place, until the day [period of light, new era] dawns and the morning star [light-bearing, radiant] rises in your hearts [innermost being, seat of thoughts and emotions]. word study 20 Above all [most importantly, first and foremost], you must understand [know and recognize, be aware of] that no [absolutely none, not any] prophecy [message from God, divine revelation] of Scripture [the written Word, holy writings] comes from one’s own [private, personal] interpretation [explanation, understanding]. word study 21 For no [absolute negation, not at all] such prophecy [divine message, revelation from God] was ever brought forth [originated, came into being] by the will [desire, intention] of man [human being, mortal], but men [holy men of God, prophets] spoke [uttered, proclaimed] from God [the Father, divine source] as they were carried along [moved, inspired] by the Holy [set apart, sacred] Spirit [breath of God, divine energy]. word study