Because by his power he has given us everything necessary for life and righteousness, through the knowledge of him who has been our guide by his glory and virtue;

It is through these that He has given us His precious and glorious promises, so that through them, after you have escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires, you may come to share in the divine nature.

Therefore, brothers, be zealous even more to make your calling and election secure, because [if you] do these [things], you will never ever stumble.

because I know that the removal of my bodily tent is to be very soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.

For we did not use cleverly conceived stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, because we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty [i.e., the apostles had personally seen the miraculous power of Jesus].

because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind,

because no prophecy ever originated through a human decision. Instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Then there will be many who will follow their immorality, because of whom the Way of the Truth will be maligned.

(Because the soul of that upright man living among them was pained from day to day by seeing and hearing their crimes):

[By] leaving the straight path, they have gone astray, [because they] followed the way of Balaam the [son of] Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,

Saying that they will be free, while they themselves are the servants of destruction; because whatever gets the better of a man makes a servant of him.

The Lord is not slow about his promise, in the sense that some men think; he is really showing his patience with you, because he does not want any to perish, but wishes all men to be brought to repentance.

[Because] all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of [people] must you be in holy behavior and godliness,

[while] waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed [by] being burned up and the celestial bodies will melt [as they] are consumed by heat!

Therefore, dear friends, [because you] are waiting for these [things], make every effort to be found at peace, spotless and unblemished in him.

He spoke about these things in all of his letters, which contain some parts that are difficult to understand. [Because of this], ignorant and unstable people twist [his writings], just as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Do you therefore, beloved, because you know these things beforehand, be on your guard lest you be led astray by the error of the wicked, and so fall from your own stedfastness.