I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.

Therefore, brethren, be the more diligent to make your calling and election sure: for doing these things you can never fall.

And I will make every effort to see that you will always remember these things after I am gone.

But first be assured of this:--There is no prophetic teaching found in Scripture that can be interpreted by man's unaided reason;

And through covetousness they will use you for gain with well-turned words; for whom judgment from of old does not linger, and their destruction does not sleep.

having eyes full of adultery, and who can't cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;

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;

They are an example of that true saying, The dog has gone back to the food it had put out, and the pig which had been washed to its rolling in the dirty earth.

so that you can remember the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles.

Saying, Where is the hope of his coming? From the death of the fathers till now everything has gone on as it was from the making of the world.