1Simon1.1 Other authorities read Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:1.1 Or of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ

2May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Christian privileges and character

3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to1.3 Or by his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. 5For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; 11so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Peter's approaching death

12Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13I think it right, as long as I am in this body,1.13 Greek tent to arouse you by way of reminder, 14since I know that the putting off of my body1.14 Greek tent will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Peter's witness and that of the prophets

16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 171.17-18: Mt 17.1-8; Mk 9.2-8; Lk 9.28-36.For when he received honour and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,1.17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved with whom I am well pleased,” 18we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.1.21 Other authorities read a moved by the Holy Spirit holy men of God spoke