A Greeting from Peter
(2 Peter 1:1–2)

1Peter (rock), an apostle (sent one) of Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One),

To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia (Land of the Gauls), Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen \To the elect sojourners of the Diaspora of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia/a 2according to the foreknowledge of God {Theou} the Father and sanctified by the Spirit {Pneumatos} for obedience to Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One) and sprinkling by His blood:

Grace and peace be yours⁺ in abundance.

A Living Hope

3Blessed be the God {Theos} and Father {Patēr} of our Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One)! By His great mercy (compassion) He has given us new birth (has caused us to be born again)b into a living hope through the resurrection (rising again) of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you⁺, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s {Theou} power {dynamei} for the salvation that is ready to be revealed (uncovered) in the last time.

6In this you⁺ greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials 7so that the proven character of your⁺ faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise (approval), glory {doxan}, and honor at the revelation of Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One).

8Though you⁺ have not seen Him, you⁺ love Him {agapate}; and though you⁺ do not see Him now, you⁺ believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9now that you⁺ are receiving the goal of your⁺ faith, the salvation of your⁺ souls {psychōn}.

10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you⁺ searched and investigated carefully, 11trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit {Pneuma} of Christ (the Anointed One) in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

12It was revealed (uncovered) to them that they were not serving themselves, but you⁺, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel (good news) to you⁺ by the Holy Spirit {Hagiō Pneumati} sent from heaven. Even angels (messengers) long to look into these things.

A Call to Holiness
(Hebrews 12:14–17)

13Therefore prepare your⁺ minds for action \Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind/.c Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you⁺ at the revelation of Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One). 14As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your⁺ former ignorance. 15But just as He who called you⁺ is holy, so be holy in all you do, 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy <Lev 11:44–45>.”d

17Since you⁺ call on a Father {Patera} who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your⁺ stay as foreigners. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you⁺ were redeemed from the empty way of life you⁺ inherited from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ (the Anointed One), a lamb without blemish (blameless) or spot. 20He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your⁺ sake.

21Through Him you⁺ believe in God {Theon}, who raised Him from the dead and glorified {doxan} Him; and so your⁺ faith and hope are in God.

The Enduring Word
(Isaiah 40:6–8)

22Since you⁺ have purified your⁺ souls {psychas} by obedience to the truth so that you⁺ have a genuine love for your⁺ brothers {philadelphian}, love {agapēsate} one another deeply, from a pure heart [from the heart].e 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God {Theou}. 24For,

“All flesh is like grass,

and all its glory {doxa} like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

25but the word {rhēma} of the Lord {Kyriou} stands forever <Isa 40:6–8>.”f

And this is the word that was proclaimed to you⁺.