The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• New Testament
• Revisers’ Preface.
• The Gospel According to S. Matthew.
• The Gospel According to S. Mark.
• The Gospel According to S. Luke.
• The Gospel According to S. John.
• The Acts of the Apostles.
• The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans.
• The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.
• The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.
• The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians.
• The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians.
• The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians.
• The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians.
• The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians.
• The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians.
• The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy.
• The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy.
• The Epistle of Paul to Titus.
• The Epistle of Paul to Philemon.
• The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.
• The General Epistle of James.
• The First Epistle General of Peter.
• The Second Epistle General of Peter.
• The First Epistle General of John.
• The Second Epistle of John.
• The Third Epistle of John.
• The General Epistle of Jude.
• The Revelation of S. John the Divine.
• List of Readings and Renderings Preferred By the American Committee, Recorded At Their Desire. See Preface to New Testament.
• Classes of Passages.

THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER.

THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. (A. V.)

1

1Simon 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.

THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. (R. V.)

1

11Simon Peter, a 2 servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained 3 a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of 4 our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us 5 by his own glory and virtue; 4 whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of 6 the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; 6 and in your knowledge 7 temperance; and in your7 temperance patience; and in your patience godliness; 7 and in your godliness love of the brethren; and in your love of the brethren love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he that lacketh these things is blind, 8 seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleaning from his old sins. 10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: 11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12 Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with you.13 And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me. 15 Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my 1 decease to call these things to remembrance. 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and 2 coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he 3 received from God the Father honour and glory, when there 4 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 we ourselves heard 5 come out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a 6 dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of 7 private interpretation. 21 For no prophecy ever 8 came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the 9 Holy Ghost.

2

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their ∥ pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise ∥ government. * Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation ∥ against them before the Lord.

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of † adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were ∥ clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

2

1 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in 10 destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but 11 cast them down to 12 hell, and committed them to 13 pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement; 5 and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, 14 a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, 15 vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds): 9 the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgement; 10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, selfwilled, they tremble not to rail at 16 dignities: 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, bring not a railing judgement against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as creatures without reason, born 17 mere animals 18 to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their 19 destroying surely be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their 20 love-feasts while they feast with you; 14 having eyes full of 21 adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing; 15 forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of 22 Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; 16 but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man’s voice and stayed the madness of the prophet. 17 These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved. 18 For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error; 19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of 1 whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of 2 the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. 21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.

3

1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth † standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and ∥ hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15 And account that the longsuffering of ‡ our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

3

1 This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance; 2 that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles: 3 knowing this first, that 3 in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts, 4 and saying, Where is the promise of his 4 coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and 5 amidst water, by the word of God; 6 by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been 6 stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the 7 elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be 8 burned up. 11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, 12 looking for and 9 earnestly desiring the 4 coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the 7 elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and 1 for ever. Amen.

[∥ ]Or, by.

[* ]John 21. 18.

[∥ ]Or, at any time.

[1 ]Many ancient authorities read Symeon.

[2 ]Gr bondservant.

[3 ]Gr an equally precious.

[4 ]Or, our God and the Saviour

[5 ]Some ancient authorities read through glory and virtue.

[6 ]Or, a

[7 ]Or, self-control

[8 ]Or, closing his eyes

[1 ]Or, departure

[2 ]Gr. presence.

[3 ]Gr. having received.

[4 ]Gr. was brought . . . by the majestic glory.

[5 ]Gr. brought.

[6 ]Gr. squalid.

[7 ]Or, special

[8 ]Gr. was brought.

[9 ]Or, Holy Spirit

[∥ ]Or, lascivious ways, as some copies read.

[∥ ]Or, dominion.

[* ]Jude 8.

[∥ ]Some read, against themselves.

[† ]Gr. an adulteress.

[∥ ]Or, for a little, or, a while, as some read.

[10 ]Or, sects of perdition

[11 ]Or, cast them into dungeons

[12 ]Gr. Tartarus.

[13 ]Some ancient authorities read chains.

[14 ]Gr a herald.

[15 ]Gr. tormented.

[16 ]Gr. glories.

[17 ]Gr. natural.

[18 ]Or, to take and to destroy

[19 ]Or, corruption

[20 ]Many ancient authorities read deceivings.

[21 ]Gr. an adulteress.

[22 ]Many ancient authorities read Bosor

[1 ]Or, what

[2 ]Many ancient authorities read our.

[† ]Gr. consisting.

[∥ ]Or, hasting the coming.

[‡ ][1611 the Lord]

[3 ]Gr. in the last of the days.

[4 ]Gr. presence.

[5 ]Or, through

[6 ]Or, stored with fire

[7 ]Or, heavenly bodies

[8 ]The most ancient manuscripts read discovered.

[9 ]Or, hastening

[1 ]Gr. unto the day of eternity