2 Peter Cross References - AUV

¹ [This letter is being written by] Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith just as precious as ours, through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. ² [May God’s] unearned favor and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. ³ God’s divine power has given us everything [necessary] for [abundant] life and godly living, through the knowledge of Him [i.e., God], who called us by His own splendor and goodness. ⁴ By these [blessings] He has given to us the precious and tremendous promises, so that you people may share in His divine nature, [after] having escaped the world’s corruption, caused by evil desires. ⁵ And for this very reason, you people should make every effort to develop goodness along with your faith, ⁶ and knowledge along with your goodness, and self-control along with your knowledge, and endurance along with your self-control, and godliness along with your endurance, ⁷ and brotherly kindness along with your godliness, and with your brotherly kindness, develop love. ⁸ For if you people have a lot of these [qualities] they will keep you from being unproductive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But, anyone who lacks these qualities is [spiritually] blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed [i.e., forgiven] of his past sins. ¹⁰ So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God]. ¹¹ For in this way, you will be provided with a rich welcome into the never ending kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [i.e., in heaven]. ¹² Therefore, I intend to constantly remind you people about these things [i.e., those mentioned in verses 5-11], even though you [already] know them, and have been established in the truth you now possess. ¹³ But I consider it the right thing to do, as long as I am in this “tent” [Note: This is an allusion to his still being alive], to stir up your memory [of these things], ¹⁴ knowing that [I will] soon put off my “tent” [i.e., I will soon die], even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that, after I leave [i.e., die], you will always be able to recall the things [I said to you]. ¹⁶ 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]. ¹⁷ For Jesus had received honor and glory from God, the Father, when [God’s] voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, and I am very pleased with Him.” ¹⁸ And we heard this voice coming from heaven when we were with Him in the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And we have the message of the prophets [confirmed to us] as more certain [than ever]. So, you will do well to pay careful attention to it, as [you would] to a lamp in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts [Note: This probably refers to the beginning of the Gospel age, when people would become enlightened to its message]. ²⁰ Above all, [you should realize] that no prophecy of Scripture originates from a person’s own initiative [Note: This passage is discussing the source of Scripture, not the understanding of it]. ²¹ For prophecy was never produced by the will of man, but people spoke from God, as they were carried along [i.e., inspired] by the Holy Spirit.

¹⁷ Then a voice came out of heaven, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son. I am very pleased with Him.”

¹⁶ the people who lived [there] in [spiritual] darkness saw a great light. Light shone upon these people, who lived in an area that was under the shadow of death.”

¹⁸ While Jesus was walking beside Lake Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting their net into the lake, because they were fishermen.

²⁴ “Every person therefore, who hears these words of mine and obeys them will be like the sensible person who built his house on a [foundation of] rock. ²⁵ The [heavy] rains came down and the flood waters rose and the winds blew and beat down on that house, but it did not collapse, for it was [built] on a foundation of rock.

² Now the names of the twelve apostles were: First, Simon, also called Peter, Andrew, his brother, James and John, sons of Zebedee,

²⁵ About that time Jesus said [in prayer], “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things [i.e., the significance of Jesus’ words and works] from those who [thought they] were wise and intelligent and have [instead] revealed them to people who are child-like. ²⁶ Yes Father, you did this because it was very pleasing to you. ²⁷ “All things have been entrusted to me by my Father and no one [truly] knows the Son except the Father. And neither does anyone [truly] know the Father except the Son and that person to whom the Son wants to reveal Him.

¹⁸ [Isa. 13:1ff] “Look, see my [i.e., God’s] servant whom I have chosen; my dear One [i.e., Jesus] with whom my soul is very pleased: I will put my Holy Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim judgment to the [unconverted] Gentiles.

²² And the person who was sown among the thorns is the one who hears the message, but the anxieties of the world [i.e., of life] and the deceptiveness of [material] riches choke the message and he becomes unproductive.

²⁸ It is true when I tell you, some of those standing here will not die before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.”

³ Then suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.

⁵ While he was still talking, suddenly a bright cloud engulfed them. Just then, a voice spoke out of the cloud, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, who is very pleasing to me; listen to Him.” ⁶ And when the disciples heard [the voice], they fell [to the ground] on their faces and became very afraid.

³ He went out about nine o’clock in the morning and saw other unemployed laborers standing [around] in the open shopping market.

⁶ [Finally] he went out [once more] at about five o’clock in the afternoon and found [still] other men standing around. He said, ‘Why have you been standing around all day and not working?’

³ And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things [you just spoke of] happen? And what will be the sign that indicates your presence and the end of the [present] age?”

²⁷ For just like lightning that appears in the east can be seen even in the west, so it will be with the presence [i.e., coming] of the Son of man.

²⁶ But his master said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant. [Since] you knew that I reaped where I had not sown and gathered where I had not scattered seed,

³⁴ Then the King will say to those at His right side, ‘You who are blessed by my Father, come and receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the creation of the world,

¹⁸ Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ So, as you go, make disciples out of people from all the nations, then immerse believers [See Mark 16:15-16] into the name of [i.e., to enter a relationship with] the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

¹¹ And a voice called out from heaven, saying, “You are my dearly loved Son. I am very pleased with you.”

¹ And Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some people standing here who will surely not experience death until they see that God’s kingdom has come in [a demonstration of] power.” ² And after six days had passed, Jesus took Peter, James and John aside alone and went up to a high mountain [i.e., probably Mt. Tabor, which was nearby]. [There] His whole appearance was [miraculously] changed in front of them.

⁷ [Just then] a cloud engulfed them and a voice spoke out of the cloud saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, listen to Him.”

²¹ And Jesus looked at him, and filled with love, said to him, “There is one thing you [still] lack. Go and sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; become my follower, then you will have treasure in heaven.”

³⁶ [It was] David himself [who] said by [inspiration of] the Holy Spirit [Psa. 110:1], ‘The Lord [i.e., God] said to my [i.e., David’s] Lord [i.e., Jesus], sit at my right side until I make your enemies the footrest [i.e., in subjection] under your feet.’

⁴⁷ and my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior.

⁷⁰ (as He spoke through the message of the holy prophets of long ago).

⁷⁸ because of God’s merciful compassion. Therefore, the morning sun from above will arise ⁷⁹ to shine on those who are sitting in darkness and [are under] the shadow of death, and to direct our feet into the way of peace.”

²² and the Holy Spirit came down on Him in a physical form, as a dove, and a voice spoke out of heaven [saying], “You are my dearly loved Son. I am very pleased with you.”

⁴⁷ Every person who comes to me and listens to my words and obeys them, I will show you who he is like. ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep to lay the foundation on rock. And when a flood came the river pounded against that house, but could not shake it because it had been well built. ⁴⁹ But the person who hears [my words] and does not obey them is like a man who built a house on the ground, without a foundation. [When] the river pounded against it, immediately it collapsed and the destruction of that house was complete.”

¹⁵ And those people [represented by seed falling] in the fertile soil are those who possess a good and honest heart when they hear the word [of God]. They hold on to it and patiently [continue until they] produce a crop.

²⁸ And it happened about eight days after Jesus said these things that He took Peter, John and James with Him and went up in the mountain to pray. [Note: This was probably Mt. Tabor, which was nearby]. ²⁹ And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was [miraculously] changed and His clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰ Then suddenly two men were [seen] talking with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in splendor, and were speaking of Jesus’ [coming] departure [i.e., His imminent death], which He was soon to experience at Jerusalem.

³¹ who appeared in splendor, and were speaking of Jesus’ [coming] departure [i.e., His imminent death], which He was soon to experience at Jerusalem. ³² Now Peter and those with him [i.e., James and John] had been very sleepy, but became wide awake when they saw the splendor of Jesus and the two men standing with Him.

³⁴ And while he was speaking, a cloud appeared and engulfed them and the apostles were afraid as Moses and Elijah entered the cloud [i.e., and disappeared]. ³⁵ Then a voice spoke out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, [whom] I have chosen; listen to Him.”

²² Everything has been handed over to me by my Father and no one knows the Son except the Father. And [no one knows] the Father except the Son and whatever person the Son wants to reveal Him to.”

⁴⁹ Therefore, the wisdom of God said, [Note: Is this a reference to Jesus? See I Cor. 1:30 and Matt. 23:34-36], ‘I will send prophets and apostles to them [i.e., the Jewish people] and they will kill and persecute some of them,

²⁶ And besides all this, there is a huge chasm situated between us and you so that those who wanted to go from here to there [where you are] cannot do it. And no one can cross over from there to us [over here].’

²⁹ But Abraham said, ‘They have [the writings of] Moses and the prophets; let them pay attention to them.’ ³⁰ Then the rich man said, ‘No, forefather Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, [then] they will repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].’ ³¹ And Abraham replied, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded [even] if someone rises from the dead [i.e., to come back and warn them].’”

²² When Jesus heard this He said to him, “ [There is] one thing you still lack. Sell all your possessions and distribute [the money] to poor people; become my follower, [then] you will have treasure in heaven.”

¹⁹ [But], by holding out steadfastly, you will gain your life. [Note: This means either “preserve your earthly life,” or “attain never ending life”].

³¹ “Simon, Simon [i.e., Peter], Satan has earnestly requested the right to sift you like wheat. [Note: Grain was sifted by using a sieve-like device in which grain and particles of dirt and straw were shaken together, allowing the grain to fall through while the dirt and straw remained. This was an allusion to the agitating trials Peter was soon to endure, and survive]. ³² But I prayed earnestly for you, that your faith would not fail [to be strong]. And when you have turned back [i.e., from going astray briefly], provide [spiritual] support to your brothers.” ³³ And Peter replied, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison and to death with you.” ³⁴ And Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, you will deny [even] knowing me three times before the rooster crows today.”

²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one who would purchase the Israelites back [from their bondage]. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

⁷ He came to be a witness, so that he might testify concerning that Light, so that all people would believe [in Jesus] through him [i.e., through his testimony. See Acts 19:4]. ⁸ He himself was not that Light, but came [only] to testify concerning that Light. ⁹ [Now] the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was [indeed] coming into the world [i.e., to earth].

¹² But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name [i.e., as the Messiah]. ¹³ [Such people] were born of God, not of blood ties [i.e., from physical descendants], nor of the will of the flesh [i.e., merely from a sexual desire], nor of the will of man [i.e., from a husband’s desire for offspring]. ¹⁴ [Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.

⁴² So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], “You are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]).”

³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hands [See Eph. 1:20-22].

²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them [renewed] life [for their bodies ?], even so the Son also gives [renewed] life to [the spirits ?] of whoever He wants to. ²² For the Father does not judge anyone, but He has given [full responsibility for] judging people to His Son, ²³ so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The person who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

²⁶ For [just] as the Father is Himself [the source of] life, in the same way He gave to His Son also [the power] to be [the source of] life.

³⁵ John was the lamp that was burning and glowing and you people were willing to enjoy the light that he projected for awhile. ³⁶ But my testimony is greater than John’s. For the deeds the Father has given me to complete, the very deeds I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. ³⁷ And the Father who sent me testifies concerning me. You people have never heard His voice nor seen His form.

³⁹ You search through the Scriptures [i.e., the Old Testament], because you think that you will [learn how to] have never ending life by [reading] them. And these Scriptures are what testify concerning me.

⁴² but I know you [well enough], that you do not have a love for God within you.

²⁷ Do not work for the [kind of] food that spoils, but for the kind that lasts until never ending life. The Son of man will give you this [kind of food], for God the Father has placed His seal [of approval] on Him.”

³⁷ Every person [Note: The Greek says, “every thing”] whom the Father gives me will [eventually] come to me [i.e., for salvation]; and I will never turn away that person who comes to me.

³⁹ And this is what God, who sent me, wants: That I should not lose any of those persons whom He has given me, but should raise them up [from the dead] on the last day [i.e., the judgment day].

¹² So, Jesus spoke to them again [i.e., to the Jewish authorities. See 7:45], saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who becomes my follower will never live in [spiritual] darkness, but have the light of [i.e., for his] life [i.e., followers of Jesus will not live in error and sin but in truth and righteousness].”

⁴⁰ Some Pharisees, who were with Jesus, heard [Him say] these things, and replied, “Are we blind, too?” ⁴¹ Jesus said to them, “If you were [really] blind [i.e., unable to see spiritually], you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim, ‘We can see [fine],’ you remain guilty of sin.”

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest.

¹⁵ just like the Father knows me [intimately] and I know the Father [that way]. And I [am about to] give up my life for the sheep.

³⁶ how can you people say to Him, whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are speaking abusively [i.e., about God],’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? He is the One whom the Father set apart [i.e., for His service] and sent into the world.

²⁶ If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him.

²⁸ ‘Father, honor your name [in all this].’” Then a voice came out of heaven, saying, “I have honored it, and I will honor it again.” ²⁹ The crowd that was standing around heard this [i.e., the sound of the Father’s voice], but said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel spoke to Him [i.e., Jesus].”

¹ Now it was before the Passover Festival [was to begin] and Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Those [living] in the world, whom He had loved, and who were His own [disciples], He continued to love [dearly] to the very end [i.e., of His life on earth]. ² The devil had already filled the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, with the desire to turn Jesus over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities]. During the [Passover] meal, ³ Jesus, who knew that the Father had given Him complete authority, [also] knew that He had come from God and was [about] to return to God.

³⁴ I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. Also you should love one another in the same way that I have loved you. ³⁵ If you love one another, then everyone will know by [observing] this that you are my disciples.”

⁶ Jesus answered him, “I am the way [to God], and the truth [to believe], and the life [to live]. No one can go to the Father, except through [believing in] me.

⁸ Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and it [will] be enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus replied to him, “Have I been with you men all this time, and [still] you do not know me, Philip? The person who has seen me, has [also] seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

¹¹ You should believe me [when I say] that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and the Father is in [fellowship with] me. Or else believe me for the sake of the deeds themselves that I perform.

² He will cut off [See verse 6] every branch [i.e., follower of Christ] who is in [fellowship with] me that does not bear fruit. And He will prune every branch that does bear fruit, so it will bear more fruit.

⁶ If a person does not remain united to me, he will be thrown out as a [fruitless] branch and dried up. People gather up such branches and throw them into the fire to be burned [as fuel ?]. ⁷ If you remain in [fellowship with] me and my teaching remains in your hearts, [you can] ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is honored by your bearing much fruit and [thus] showing that you are my disciples.

² Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people [Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, “all those things”] you have given Him.

² Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people [Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, “all those things”] you have given Him. ³ And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent.

³ And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent.

²¹ [I pray] that all of them may be one, just as you, Father, are [one] in [fellowship with] me, and I [am one] in [fellowship with] you, so that they also may be [one] in [fellowship with] us in order that the world may [see it and] believe that you sent me.

¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not ascended to the Father yet [Note: Apparently Jesus was discouraging Mary from embracing Him in worship as was done in Matt. 28:9, and thereby causing a delay of when the rest of the disciples would learn of His resurrection], but go to my brothers and tell them [I said] ‘I am [about] to ascend to my Father and to your Father, and to my God and your God.’”

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “May there be peace in your hearts. Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

¹⁵ So, after they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these [other disciples do]?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” [Note: Since two different Greek words for “love” are used in this conversation, some scholars see a distinction in their meaning. See Butler, Vol. II, pp. 453-457 for a discussion of these views]. Jesus replied to him, “[Then] feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Jesus asked him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you [really] love me?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus replied to him, “[Then] take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷ Then Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [truly] love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you [even] love me?” So, he said to Jesus, “Lord, you know all things. You [surely] know that I love you.” Jesus replied to him, “[Then] feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Truly, truly, I tell you [Peter], when you were young you used to fasten your belt around you [i.e., to get ready] and travel wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you [away] to where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Now Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death Peter would experience in honoring God. [Note: Some see the “stretching out your hands,” verse 18, as a reference to crucifixion]. And after saying this, Jesus said to him, “Be my follower.”

¹⁶ [He said], "Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke through King David about Judas, who guided the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus.

¹⁸ But this is the way God fulfilled the things which He had predicted through the prophets about the suffering of Christ.

⁸ And God, who knows [all people's] hearts, gave His testimony [to their acceptance] by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us [See 11:15-17]. ⁹ And He did not discriminate between us [i.e., Jews] and them [i.e., Gentiles], cleansing their hearts [also] by faith [in Jesus].

¹⁴ Symeon [i.e., Peter] reported how God first sent [someone to preach] to the Gentiles in order to reach a group of them [with the Gospel message] for His name.

²⁹ Avoid [eating] things sacrificed to idols; avoid [drinking] blood; avoid [eating] things [that were] strangled [to death] and avoid sexual immorality. If you avoid [all] these things, you will be doing well. Goodbye."

⁵ So, the churches [of the region] were being [spiritually] strengthened in the faith and grew in number daily.

¹¹ Now these people [in Berea] had more character than those in Thessalonica because they [not only] received the message with an open mind but [also] examined the [Old Testament] Scriptures every day to see if what they had heard was really true.

²⁴ But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God's unearned favor [through Christ]. ²⁵ Now look, I know that none of you, among whom I traveled on preaching missions, will ever see my face again.

²⁵ Now look, I know that none of you, among whom I traveled on preaching missions, will ever see my face again.

²⁵ And as he discussed the matters of doing right, and [maintaining] self control and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified and answered, "Go on away for now; I will call you back when it is convenient for me."

²⁵ And when they could not agree among themselves they left, after hearing Paul make this one [important] statement: "The Holy Spirit has spoken truthfully to your forefathers through Isaiah the prophet,

¹ [This letter is from] Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, [who was] called to be an apostle, [and] set apart for [preaching] the Gospel of God.

⁴ He was appointed to be the Son of God with power through the Spirit of holiness [Note: This could refer to the Holy Spirit] when He was raised from the dead.

⁷ All of you there in Rome [i.e., the church there] are also among such obedient believers. You are called Jesus Christ’s [people], loved by God and called to be His holy people. May you have unearned favor and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹² What I mean is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

¹⁷ For the Gospel reveals how a person can be made right with God. It is through faith [in Jesus], from beginning to end, just as it is written [Hab. 2:4], “The righteous person will [obtain] life by [his] faith [in God].”

⁷ To the ones who continue doing what is good and who look for glory, honor and immortal life [God will give] never ending life.

²¹ But now [i.e., under the Gospel age], a way of being considered right with God apart from [any] law has been made known. [The writings of] the law [i.e., the Pentateuch] and the prophets bear witness to this. ²² Being considered right with God is [obtained] through faith in Jesus Christ by every person who believes [in Him], for there is no favoritism [with God], ²³ for everyone has sinned and falls short of God’s glory [i.e., His approval, or His perfect character]. ²⁴ But people are made right with Him as a free gift by His unearned favor, through being bought back [from Satan] by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Jesus as the atoning sacrifice [for our sins] through [our] faith in His blood [i.e., His death on the cross]. This was in order to demonstrate His justice when, by using forbearance, He passed over people’s sins in previous generations. ²⁶ [In doing this] God [also] demonstrated His justice [to people] of this present time, that He Himself is just and the One who makes the people right with Him who have faith in Jesus.

³ And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance; ⁴ and endurance [produces God’s] approval; and [His] approval [produces] hope.

¹ What shall we say, then? Should we continue sinning so that more of God’s unearned favor will [have to] be shown? ² Certainly not! How can we, who died to sin [i.e., stopped living under its power], go on living in it [i.e., practicing it] any longer? ³ Or, do you not know that all of us who were immersed into Christ Jesus were immersed into His death? ⁴ Therefore, we were buried with Him through [our] immersion [in water] into [a relationship with] His death, so that, just like Christ was raised up from the dead through the glorious power of the Father, so we also can [be raised up from the water to] live a new life.

⁶ We know that our old self was [figuratively] crucified with Christ, in order that the body of sin [i.e., our whole life of sin] might be destroyed [i.e., become powerless to control our actions and thoughts], so that we should not be enslaved to the practice of sin any longer.

¹¹ So, you [too] should consider yourselves dead to sin [i.e., no longer under its power], but [spiritually] alive to God, in [fellowship with] Christ.

²⁵ But if we hope for what we cannot see, then we [must] patiently wait for it [to be received].

²⁸ And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called [to serve Him] in harmony with His purpose [for them].

²⁸ And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called [to serve Him] in harmony with His purpose [for them]. ²⁹ For [that class of] persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the [spiritual] likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among [His] many brothers [i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11].

²⁹ For [that class of] persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the [spiritual] likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among [His] many brothers [i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11]. ³⁰ And [that class of] persons whom God [so] predetermined, He also called [through the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14]. And those He called, He also made right with Himself. And those He made right with Himself, He also [determined to be] honored [i.e., in the future life].

³⁰ And [that class of] persons whom God [so] predetermined, He also called [through the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14]. And those He called, He also made right with Himself. And those He made right with Himself, He also [determined to be] honored [i.e., in the future life]. ³¹ What then should we conclude from this? [Just this]: If God is on our side, who can [successfully] oppose us? ³² God did not withhold His own Son [from dying], but offered Him up for all of us. [Since He did that], will He not, along with Jesus, freely give us everything [else] also?

⁴ the Israelites. These people are God’s adopted children; they have [experienced] His glorious presence; they have [received] His Agreements; they have been given the law of Moses; they possess the [Temple] service and the promises [of God].

²⁴ We were these people, whom He called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles.

⁶ And we [all] have different gifts, in harmony with the unearned favor [God has] shown us. If our gift is the ability to prophesy [i.e., to speak for God], we should make use of this gift in harmony with the amount of faith we have.

¹⁰ In your love for your brothers, show tender affection toward one another. Try to outdo one another in showing respect [for each other]. ¹¹ Be enthusiastic instead of lazy. Be fervent in your spirit [Note: Some translators take “spirit” here to refer to the “Holy Spirit”], [as you] serve the Lord.

¹¹ Now this [is another reason for observing the law of love]: You should know that it is about time to wake up out of your [spiritual] sleep, because [the day of our final] salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed [in Christ].

⁴ For whatever things were written previously [i.e., in the Old Testament], were intended for us to learn from, so that we could have hope [i.e., in the face of difficult times] through remaining steadfast, and through the encouragement [received] from reading the Scriptures.

⁶ so that in [genuine] unity and with one voice, you people may honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ And I, myself, am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, and have been filled with all kinds of knowledge and are capable of counseling one another. ¹⁵ But I have written to you quite boldly in some places to remind you [of certain things], because of the favor shown to me by God,

⁷ so that you are not lacking in any [spiritual] gift, while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed [i.e., at His second coming].

⁹ God is faithful [i.e., He will continue working among you] and it is through Him that you were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to immerse people, but to preach the good news. [Note: Christ specifically commissioned Paul to preach; most of the immersing was done by his attendants]. It was not to be done with words of [human] wisdom, so that the [message of the] cross of Christ would not have its power taken away.

²³ but we [apostles] preach that Christ was crucified [for our sins]. This message is offensive to Jews and foolishness to [unconverted] Gentiles.

³⁰ But God brought you into [fellowship with] Christ Jesus, who was made to be God’s wisdom for us. Through Christ you have received a right relationship with God, [as well as] holiness and redemption [i.e., being bought back from Satan].

¹ And when I came to you, brothers, it was not with eloquent words or [superior] wisdom that I proclaimed to you the testimony [or, mystery] about God.

⁴ And I did not use persuasive words of [human] wisdom in my message and preaching, but they were [accompanied by] a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power [from God]. [Note: This “demonstration” could have included the evidence of miraculous spiritual gifts which Paul utilized while there in Corinth. See 14:18].

²¹ So, no one should boast about [the knowledge or position of] people. For all things belong to you, ²² including Paul, and Apollos, and Cephas [i.e., Peter], and the world, and life and death, and present and future things. All of these things are yours. [Note: Paul is showing that, as Christians, they really possessed and should value all preachers and circumstances of life alike]. ²³ And you people belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

⁴ [I command you], when you people are assembled together, with my spirit [also present], in the name [i.e., by the authority] and power of our Lord Jesus,

¹ Am I not a free man? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? [See Acts 9:17; I Cor. 15:8]. Are you people not [the result of] my work in [the service of] the Lord?

²⁵ And everyone who [strenuously] competes in athletic events exercises self-control during training. Now they do this to receive a laurel wreath that withers, but we [do it to receive] a lasting crown.

¹ If I have the ability to speak in the languages of human beings and angels [Note: Perhaps the idea is supernaturally and eloquently], but do not have love [for people], I have become [no more than] a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² And if I have the [spiritual] gift of prophecy, and can understand all [of God’s] secret purposes, and have all knowledge; and if I have all [the supernatural] faith necessary to relocate mountains [See Matt. 17:20], but do not have love [for people], I am nothing. ³ And if I donate all my possessions to feed poor people, and if I surrender my body to be burned [Note: This probably refers to becoming a martyr, but some manuscripts read, “that I may be able to boast”], but do not have love [for people], it is no benefit to me. ⁴ [Note: The following traits should be understood in the context of love for people]. Love is patient [with people], and is kind [to them]; love does not envy [what people are or have]; love does not boast [of being superior to others], it is not arrogant [in dealing with people]. ⁵ [Love] does not act improperly [toward people]; it does not insist on having its own way [at the expense of others]; it is not easily irritated [by others]; it does not keep track of the wrongs [done by others]. ⁶ [Love] is not glad about the evil [that people do], but is glad about the truth [i.e., the good in their lives]. ⁷ [Love] conceals all [people’s] faults; it believes [the best about] all people; it hopes [for the best in] all people; it endures [ill treatment from] all people. ⁸ Love will never cease. But though there are [now supernatural gifts of] prophecies, [someday] they will be abolished [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there are [now supernatural gifts of] languages, [someday] they will stop [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there is [now the supernatural gift of] knowledge, [someday] it will be abolished [i.e., this gift will cease to be exercised].

²⁰ Brothers, do not be children in the way you think, but be babies in wrongdoing; yet be mature in your thinking.

⁹ For I am the least [significant] of the apostles, and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dearly loved brothers, stand firm [in the faith]; do not be moved [from your commitment]. Always do your best to work for the Lord, since you know that your labor in the Lord’s [service] is not for nothing.

³ May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father of compassionate feelings and the God of all comfort, be praised.

²⁰ For [no matter] how many promises God has made, in Christ [the answer] is “yes” [i.e., Christ has fulfilled all of God’s promises to mankind]. Also, through Christ, the “amen” [Note: This word is always translated elsewhere as “May it be so”] can be said by us in order to honor God.

¹⁷ For we [apostles] are not like so many people, who “peddle” God’s message merely for profit [or, “who corrupt God’s message”], but in Christ’s [service] we proclaim the message from God with sincerity, [realizing we are] in the presence of God.

¹⁸ But all of us [Christians], with unveiled faces, see the Lord’s splendor reflected, as [though we were] looking in a mirror, and [so] are being transformed into His likeness in ever-increasing splendor. This is [the work] of the Lord, [who is] the Holy Spirit.

² Instead, we have renounced [the practice of] secret, disgraceful behavior. We do not practice deception, nor resort to distorting God’s message. But, by making known the truth [i.e., the true message], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the presence of God. ³ For even if our Gospel message is veiled, it is veiled [only] from those who are lost. ⁴ For the god of this world [i.e., Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the Gospel of the splendor of Christ, who is the image of God.

⁴ For the god of this world [i.e., Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the Gospel of the splendor of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For we do not preach ourselves, but [we preach] Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said [Gen. 1:3], “Light will shine out of darkness,” has [also] shone in our hearts to provide [us with] the light of the knowledge of God’s splendor [as it shines] on the face of Christ. [Note: This allusion to “splendor shining on Christ’s face” may be a continuation of the analogy used in 3:13].

⁶ For God, who said [Gen. 1:3], “Light will shine out of darkness,” has [also] shone in our hearts to provide [us with] the light of the knowledge of God’s splendor [as it shines] on the face of Christ. [Note: This allusion to “splendor shining on Christ’s face” may be a continuation of the analogy used in 3:13].

¹³ But, we have the same spirit [i.e., type] of faith as that written about [Psa. 116:10], “I believed [God’s message], so I spoke.” We also believe [it], and so we also speak [about it].

¹ For we know that if our earthly “house” [i.e., our physical body] which is like a tent, is torn down, we have [the promise of] a building from God, a never ending “house” in heaven that is not made by human hands.

¹ For we know that if our earthly “house” [i.e., our physical body] which is like a tent, is torn down, we have [the promise of] a building from God, a never ending “house” in heaven that is not made by human hands. ² For indeed, we groan while in this “house,” longing to be covered over by our heavenly dwelling place, ³ because when we are covered by it, we will not be found naked [i.e., without a suitable dwelling for our body]. ⁴ For indeed, we who are in this “tent” groan under its burden, not [wanting] to be uncovered, but to be covered over. Then our mortal body will be swallowed up [i.e., replaced] by [never ending] life.

⁸ We are encouraged, I say, and would rather be away from our body and at home with the Lord.

¹³ For if we [seem to] be crazy, it is for the sake [of the work] of God, or if we [seem to] be sensible, it is for your benefit. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love for us motivates us, because we have concluded that, [since] one person [i.e., Christ] died for all people, so then all people have died. [Note: This may mean simply that Christ died for all people, who were dead in their sins]. ¹⁵ And Christ died for all people, so that those who are alive should not live for themselves anymore, but for Him who died and rose again for their sakes. ¹⁶ So, from now on we will not regard any person by worldly standards, even though we [once] regarded Christ that way. But we will not regard Him [that way] anymore. [Note: Paul seems to be saying that before his conversion he viewed Christ on the basis of His family, His education, His position, etc., but since his conversion he does not view Him that way anymore]. ¹⁷ Therefore, if any person is in [fellowship with] Christ, he is a new person. His old ways have passed away; now his ways have become new.

²¹ God considered Christ to be sinful on our behalf, even though He never sinned, so that we could be considered right with God through Him.

⁴ But, as ministers of God, we [try to] commend ourselves [to others] in every way. [We do this] by [our] great steadfastness in troubles, hardships and difficulties.

¹⁷ Therefore, the Lord says [Isa. 52:11], “You people should leave their company [i.e., unbelievers, verse 14] and separate yourselves from them, and do not touch anything unclean [i.e., their evil practices], and I will welcome you.”

² [It is] how, in spite of their suffering severe trials, their overflowing joy and extreme poverty produced an overwhelming expression of generosity.

⁷ But just as you excel in everything [else]; in your faith, in your speaking; in your knowledge [Note: Possibly these refer to spiritual gifts. See I Cor. 12:8-10], in your eagerness [to serve], and in your love for us, now you people should also excel in this favorable work [i.e., of giving financial help to needy people].

¹⁴ And when they see the outstanding [evidence of] God’s favor in you, they will pray for you with deep affection [or, “will long to see you”].

³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who should be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

⁹ But God said to me, “My unearned favor is enough for you, for my power is made complete in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast, so that the power of Christ can rest on me.

¹⁶ So, let it be [said] that I did not become a burden to you. But being a clever person, [some are saying] that I took you in by trickery. [Note: Paul is saying that even though he took no financial support from the church, they are accusing him of taking financial advantage of them through other people]. ¹⁷ Did I take [financial] advantage of you by any of those men I sent to you?

⁵ Put yourselves to a test; see if you are [really] in the faith [i.e., see if you are genuine Christians]; examine yourselves! Or, do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in your hearts, unless [of course] you fail the test [i.e., unless you are counterfeit Christians].

⁸ For God assigned Peter to be an apostle to the circumcised ones [i.e., Jews], and me to be an apostle to the Gentiles.

¹⁶ Now [specific] promises were made to Abraham and to his seed [i.e., descendants]. [God] did not say “seeds” [plural] as though He were referring to many persons but “seed” [singular] showing that He meant one [descendant]; [Gen. 13:15 says] “And to your seed,” referring to Christ.

⁶ For in [our relationship with] Christ neither the practice of circumcision nor refraining from its practice matters in any way; but [all that really matters is having a genuine] faith [in Christ] that causes us to work [for Him] out of a genuine love [for Him and others].

¹³ For you brothers were called [by God] to enjoy your freedom; but do not use this freedom as an excuse for living a sinful life; instead, use it to render loving service to each other.

²³ gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against [practicing] these things.

⁸ If he engages in things to satisfy his own sinful desires, he will be [spiritually] destroyed for such conduct, but the one who engages in things to please the Holy Spirit will receive never ending life [as a result].

¹⁰ So then, we should do the right thing toward every person whenever we have the opportunity, and especially toward people who are part of God’s family [i.e., those making up “the faith”].

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you a spirit [i.e., a disposition] of wisdom and revelation [or, “give you the spiritual gifts of wisdom and revelation”], so you can have full knowledge of God. ¹⁸ I pray that your minds will be enlightened so that you will know what the hope is, to which God has called you, and what the glorious abundance is, of God’s inheritance in the saints [Note: Paul wanted them to appreciate the value God placed on them], ¹⁹ and what God’s tremendous power [working] in us believers is. [This power is] the same as that utilized by God’s mighty strength, ²⁰ which He exerted when raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right side in the heavenly realms [i.e., heaven itself]. ²¹ [There He is exalted] high above all rulers and authorities and powers and dominion and every name [i.e., title of honor] that can be given, not only in this present age but [also] in the one to come.

⁵ which was not told to people of previous generations as it has now been revealed to His [i.e., Christ’s] holy apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.

²⁰ May there be to God, who is able to do infinitely more [for us] than we could [even] ask or think, according to [His] power at work in us ---

¹ I urge you, therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, to live in a way that measures up to [the standard required by] God when He called you.

⁴ There is [only] one body [i.e., church] and one Holy Spirit, just as God also gave you one hope when He called you [See Titus 3:7]. ⁵ [There is] one Lord [i.e., Jesus], one faith [i.e., one body of teaching], one immersion [i.e., in water for the forgiveness of sins],

¹¹ And He gave some people [the gift of being] apostles; and some people prophets; and some people evangelists; and some people pastors [i.e., elders] and teachers,

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be [spiritual] babies, tossed back and forth [by waves], and blown around by every wind of [false] teaching, [deceived] by the clever trickery of people using deceptive schemes.

²³ and to be renewed in your inner person. ²⁴ And you should put on the new person who has been [re-] created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

⁷ So, do not participate with such individuals, ⁸ for you people were once darkness [i.e., when living in sin], but now you are light in [fellowship with] the Lord. [So], live like people who belong to light [i.e., who live godly lives],

¹⁷ Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

²⁶ so that He could dedicate her [to Himself], after cleansing her by means of the washing of water [i.e., immersion], accompanied by the word. [Note: “The word” here refers either to a person’s profession of faith (See Rom. 10:9) or to the Gospel message (See Rom. 10:17), both of which are associated with immersion].

⁹ And I pray that your love may grow stronger and stronger, [along] with how much you know, and [that you may grow] in your ability to comprehend things.

²⁹ Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

⁵ You should think about things the way Christ Jesus did.

¹² So then, my dear ones, just as you people were always obedient [to my teaching] when I was there with you, so now, in my absence [also], be [obedient] all the more. [Continue to] complete your own salvation [i.e., by living faithfully to the end. See Rom. 13:11] with fear and trembling [i.e., with a reverent and submissive spirit],

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These “same things” may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].

⁸ What is more, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus [as] my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things. [I now] consider [all of] them to be trash, in order to gain Christ ⁹ and to be found in [fellowship with] Him, not having a righteousness of my own, acquired by observing the law of Moses, but one acquired through believing in Christ. This righteousness, which comes from God, is based on faith.

²¹ who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself.

⁸ Finally, brothers, give [careful] thought to these things: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovable, whatever is commendable. If it is excellent; if it is praiseworthy; [think about it].

⁹ So, this is why, since the day we heard about these things, we do not stop praying for you and requesting that you people be filled [by God] with the knowledge of what He wants [for your lives], and with spiritual wisdom and understanding.

¹¹ [We also pray that you will be] strengthened with great power, according to God’s glorious might, so that you will have great endurance and patience [coupled] with joy.

¹⁶ For all things were created by Him; things in heaven and on earth; things visible and invisible, whether they are thrones [i.e., reigning beings], or lords, or rulers or authorities. [Note: “Authorities” here may refer to angelic beings]. All things were created by Him and for Him.

³ In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

⁷ rooted and built up in [your relationship to] Him, established by your faith [or, “in the faith”], just as you were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving.

¹⁰ and have put on the new person, who is being [daily] renewed with full knowledge, according to the image of God, who [re-] created him.

¹⁴ And beyond all these things, clothe yourselves with love, which binds these things together in complete [unity].

¹⁶ You should let the message of Christ live in you abundantly [i.e., as individuals and collectively]. Use [much] wisdom in teaching and warning one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with favor [i.e., with thankfulness] in your hearts toward God.

³ We continually remember, in the presence of our God and Father, the work produced by your faith, the labor prompted by your love, and your endurance motivated by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We continually remember, in the presence of our God and Father, the work produced by your faith, the labor prompted by your love, and your endurance motivated by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ We know, my brothers who are dearly loved by God, about your election [i.e., that you were chosen by God because of your obedient faith],

¹² and urging you to live up to the standards of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and splendor.

¹⁹ For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By “crown” Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?

¹² And may the Lord cause your love for one another, and for everyone, to increase and overflow, just as ours does for you also.

¹ Finally then, brothers, we request and urge you, in [the fellowship of] the Lord, that you should live [dedicated lives] and please God. Just as you people received direction from us [on doing this], see that you [continue to] do it more and more.

⁷ For God did not call us to be morally impure, but to be dedicated to Him.

⁹ Now you people do not need anyone to write to you about loving [your] brothers, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. ¹⁰ For you certainly do practice it toward all the brothers [and sisters] throughout Macedonia. [Note: This was the province in which Thessalonica was located]. Yet we urge you, brothers, to continue doing it more and more.

¹⁵ Make sure that no one does anything wrong to someone who wrongs him, but always look for something good you can do for one another and for everyone.

³ We ought to thank God for you always, brothers, since it is proper, because your faith is growing so much and the love that every one of you has for each other is increasing more and more. ⁴ Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly about you among the churches of God because of your steadfastness and faith amid all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.

⁹ The coming [of this lawless person] is according to the work of Satan, [and will be] attended by all kinds of powerful [i.e., miraculous] signs and false wonders,

¹³ But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for “firstfruits” instead of “beginning” here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were “first”], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel]. ¹⁴ He called you [to this salvation] through our Gospel message, in order that you could obtain the splendor of our Lord Jesus Christ [in heaven].

¹⁴ He called you [to this salvation] through our Gospel message, in order that you could obtain the splendor of our Lord Jesus Christ [in heaven].

⁵ And may the Lord direct your hearts to love [people] as God does, and to be steadfast as Christ was.

⁴ and not to listen to legends or exhaustive lists of ancestors. These [only] serve to arouse speculations, rather than [promote] God’s plan which is based on faith.

⁹ We [also] know this: Law [or, “the law of Moses”] is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for unholy and irreverent people, for people who kill their parents, for murderers,

² [Offer them] for kings and for all people in prominent [governmental] positions, so that we can live a peaceful and quiet life in all reverence [toward God] and respectability [toward people].

¹⁰ but with good deeds, which are [more] appropriate for women who claim to be godly.

¹⁶ And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

⁶ If you point out these things to the brothers you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, and will be nurtured by the message of the faith and of the good teaching which you have been following. ⁷ But you should have nothing to do with those worldly myths [See 1:4] and superstitious tales [often] told by old women. Instead, train yourself for living a godly life.

⁷ But you should have nothing to do with those worldly myths [See 1:4] and superstitious tales [often] told by old women. Instead, train yourself for living a godly life. ⁸ For physical training is useful to some extent [or, “for a short time”], but living godly is useful in every way, for it promises benefits [not only] for the present life, but [also] for the life to come.

⁸ For physical training is useful to some extent [or, “for a short time”], but living godly is useful in every way, for it promises benefits [not only] for the present life, but [also] for the life to come.

¹³ And on top of that, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not be.

³ If anyone teaches a different doctrine [i.e., from what has been urged above], and does not agree to [proclaim the] sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to teaching that is godly [i.e., in harmony with godliness],

⁶ But godliness [itself] is great gain, [when it is] accompanied by contentment.

¹¹ But you, man of God, run from these things [See verses 3-10], and pursue right living and godliness, having faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

⁵ I [also] remember the sincere faith you have in your heart, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am convinced, lives in you [too]. ⁶ The reason I am reminding you [of these things] is so that you will rekindle the gift from God, which is in your life through the laying on my hands. [Note: This “gift” was probably his ordination to serve as an evangelist (See 4:1-5), and in addition, may have included a supernatural “spiritual gift” bestowed by the apostle Paul].

⁹ [It is] God who saved us and called us to live holy lives [or, “to be dedicated people”], not as a result of our [good] deeds, but in harmony with His own purpose and unearned favor. [This was] given to us through [the atoning work of] Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time. [Note: Salvation through Christ was planned before time began. See Titus 1:2; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4].

² And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, you should pass on to trustworthy men who will be able to teach other people also.

¹⁹ However, the solid foundation of God stands firm. [Note: This probably refers to the church. See I Tim. 3:15]. It is sealed with these words [i.e., certifying God’s ownership and a commitment to Him]: “The Lord knows those who are His people,” [See Num. 16:5], and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord should stop practicing wickedness.” [See Isa. 36:13].

⁵ [These people] maintain an appearance of being godly, but they have denied its power; [you should] turn away from such people.

¹⁵ And [remember] that, from childhood, you have known the sacred Scriptures which are able to make you wise [enough] to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God [Note: Literally, this word means “breathed out by God”] and is useful for teaching [truth], rebuking [wrongdoing], correcting [error] and for providing instruction [i.e., training] on how to live right, ¹⁷ so that the man of God will be thoroughly equipped for [doing] every good deed.

⁶ For I am already being “poured out like a drink offering,” and the time for me to leave has come. [Note: Paul here likens the prospect of shedding his blood for the work of Christ to the pouring of wine and oil on an Old Testament sacrifice].

⁸ So, now there is a crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, who is a just Judge, will award me on that day [i.e., the judgment day], and not to me only, but also to everyone who has loved [the prospect of] His appearing.

¹ [This letter is from] Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle for [the benefit of] the faith of God’s elect [i.e., His chosen people] and [to spread] the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness,

⁴ [It is being sent] to Titus, my true son, [who shares] in a common faith. [May you have] unearned favor and peace [which come] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

⁸ [He must be] hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, upright, devout and self-controlled.

¹⁴ instead of paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who reject the truth.

² Older men should be sober-minded [See note at I Tim. 3:2], dignified [i.e., respectable], sensible, sound in the faith [or, “in their faith”], in their love and in their perseverance.

¹³ while looking forward to the blessed hope [i.e., the hope that produces blessings] and the coming splendor of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave Himself up for us, to buy us back from [enslavement to] all [kinds of] wickedness and to purify for Himself a group of people who belong to Him and who are eager to do good deeds.

¹⁴ Our people [i.e., the Christians there on Crete] also should learn to practice good deeds for meeting pressing needs, so that they can be productive [in the Lord’s work].

⁶ [I pray] that the sharing of your faith [with others, or possibly with Paul] will be effective when you fully realize all the good you can do for Christ.

³ This Son expresses the radiance of God’s splendor and represents His very Being, and He sustains everything by His powerful word. After He had provided cleansing for [man’s] sins, He sat down at the right side of the Majesty [i.e., God] on high [i.e., in heaven].

⁷ So, even as the Holy Spirit said [Psa. 95:7-11], “Today, if you hear His [i.e., God’s] voice,

¹¹ And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. ¹² We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God’s] promises because of their faith and patience.

¹⁵ And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what [God] had promised.

¹⁷ Since God wanted to show conclusively to those who would inherit the promise [i.e., Abraham and all of his spiritual descendants], how unchangeable His purpose was, He confirmed it with an oath.

¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, [a hope] that is safe and secure, and one that enters the curtain [i.e., figuratively, of the heavenly sanctuary],

⁶ But now Jesus has obtained a ministry that is as far superior [to that of the Levitical priesthood] as the [New] Agreement, of which He is the Mediator, is better [than the old one], because it has been enacted on better promises. ⁷ For if that first Agreement had been faultless, then there would have been no need for a second one. ⁸ For God found fault with the Israelites [or, possibly with the first Agreement], saying [Jer. 31:31ff], “Look, the Lord says, the time will come when I will make a New Agreement with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. ⁹ [It will] not be like the Agreement that I made with their forefathers on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the country of Egypt. For they did not [continue to] keep my Agreement, so I did not regard them [as acceptable], says the Lord. ¹⁰ For this is the Agreement that I will make with the people of Israel in the coming days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will also write them on their hearts. And I will be their God and they will be my people. ¹¹ And everyone will not [have to] teach his neighbor or his brother [anymore], telling them to ‘Know the Lord,’ because all of them will know me [as their Lord], from the least [important] ones to the most important ones. ¹² For I will be merciful to their wickedness [i.e., by forgiving them] and I will not remember their sins anymore.”

⁸ [By his doing this] the Holy Spirit signifies that the way into the Holy Place [Note: This actually refers to the Holy of Holies, and represents heaven] had not yet been disclosed [i.e., made accessible] while the first Tabernacle was still standing.

¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Holy Spirit [or, His eternal Spirit] offered Himself without [moral] blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from deeds which lead to [spiritual] death to serve the living God? ¹⁵ Therefore, Christ is the Mediator of a New Agreement, so that [all] those people who have been called [by God] can receive the promise of the never ending inheritance. [This is possible because] a death has taken place for the redemption of [people’s] sins who lived under the first Agreement.

¹⁵ And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for He said, first of all,

³² But remember the earlier days when, after you were enlightened [to the truth], you endured a difficult struggle by having to suffer [much].

³⁶ For you need to be steadfast so that, after you have done what God wants, you will receive the promise [of an inheritance. See 9:15].

⁴ By [having] faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. [And] because of his faith he was commended by God for being righteous, when God expressed approval of his offerings. By means of his faith, Abel still speaks [to us], even though he is dead.

⁶ And unless one has faith, it is impossible for him to be pleasing to God, for the person who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of spectators [Note: Christians are pictured here as being in a crowded arena, performing in the games], we should lay aside every [excessive] weight and sin that so easily entangle us, and with perseverance, we should run the race [of life] that lies before us.

¹⁰ For our human fathers disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them; but God disciplines us for our [spiritual] good, so that we may share in His holiness.

¹⁵ Look carefully [at how you are living] so that no one falls away from God’s unearned favor, and that no “poisonous plant sprouts up” to cause trouble and corrupt many people [Note: This is an analogy from Deut. 29:16-18 being used as a warning against the evil influence of wicked people],

¹ Continue to love [one another] as brothers.

³ Remember [to pray for and help] those who are in prison, as though you [yourselves] were in prison with them. [Remember] those who are being mistreated, realizing that you [yourselves] also share [with them] a physical body [i.e., you are subject to the same kind of trials].

⁹ Do not continue to be swept off your course by all kinds of strange teachings. For it is good for your hearts to be strengthened by God’s unearned favor [upon you] and not by [keeping regulations about] foods, which do not benefit those who observe them.

³ because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.

³ because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance. ⁴ And you [should] allow your perseverance to complete its work, so that you will be perfect and complete, [and] not lacking in anything.

⁸ However, you are doing well if you fulfill [i.e., obey] the royal law found in the Scriptures [Lev. 19:18], “You should love your neighbor the same way that you love yourself.”

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers [and sisters], if a person says he has faith but does not have [good] deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and needs daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to him, “Go [and be] at peace; keep warm and eat well,” and yet you do not give him anything for his physical needs, what good is that? ¹⁷ In the same way, if [your] faith does not have [good] deeds [to accompany it], it is dead, [because it stands] alone. ¹⁸ But someone may say, “You have faith and I have [good] deeds.” [I reply], show me your faith without your [good] deeds, and I will show you my faith by my [good] deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is [only] one God; that is good! Even the demons believe [that], and they shudder [with fear at the thought]. ²⁰ But will you acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without [good] deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our forefather Abraham made right with God by deeds [of obedience] when he offered his son Isaac [as a sacrifice] on the Altar? ²² [Do you not] see that faith cooperated together with his deeds, and faith was made complete by [his] deeds? ²³ So, the Scripture was fulfilled, which says [Gen. 15:6], “Abraham believed God and [so] God considered him righteous,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ [So], you see, it is by deeds that a person is made right with God, and not by faith alone. ²⁵ And in the same way, was not the prostitute Rahab made right with God by [her] deeds when she welcomed [and protected] the messengers, and [then] sent them away by a different road? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without [good] deeds is dead.

¹ Where do conflicts and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your [desire for] pleasures which produces inner conflict? ² You people desire something and yet do not have it, [so] you murder [to get it]. You are envious [of what someone has] and [yet] are not able to obtain it, [so] you fight and quarrel [over it]. You do not have [what you want] because you do not ask [God for it]. ³ [When] you do ask, you do not receive it, because you ask from wrong motives, [just] so you can satisfy your own pleasures.

⁷ So, be patient, brothers, until the Lord comes. Look, the farmer waits for his land to produce the valuable crop and is patient with it until it receives the fall and spring rains. ⁸ [So], you people should be patient also; strengthen your hearts because the Lord’s coming is near [Note: This may refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, or to Christ’s final coming and judgment]. ⁹ Do not complain against one another, brothers, so that you will not [have to] be judged [and condemned for it]. Look, the Judge [i.e., Christ] is standing at the door! [See verse 8]. ¹⁰ Brothers, take the [Old Testament] prophets, who spoke in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord, as your examples of suffering and patience.

¹ [This is being written by] Jesus’ apostle Peter, to God’s people who are scattered throughout the countries of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. [Note: These places are located in present-day Turkey]. ² These people have been [specially] selected, and [their acceptance was] pre-planned by God the Father, and they were set apart through [the work of] the Holy Spirit. This resulted in their obedience and sprinkling [Note: This is a figurative reference to the Old Testament practice of cleansing, See Exodus 24:7-8] by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God’s unearned favor and peace be continually upon you.

⁵ Through God’s power you are protected by [your] faith, so that you can expect to be saved in the end.

⁷ But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns.

¹⁰ The prophets [of old], who spoke of this salvation, asked about and searched diligently concerning the unearned favor [God provided] for you people. ¹¹ They studied [their own prophecies] to learn what, or which, [person or] time the Holy Spirit in them pointed to, in predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories yet to come.

¹⁵ but according to the Holy One, who called you [i.e., God], you people also should become holy [i.e., separated for God’s service] in all your conduct,

²² [Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.

⁷ To those of you who believe in Him then, this “Stone” is [very] precious. But to those who do not believe [Psa. 118:22 says], “The stone which those in charge of the building project have rejected has been made the principal stone for aligning the whole structure.”

⁹ But you people are especially chosen [by God]; you are a royal body of priests; you are a nation especially set apart for God’s use; you are a people who belong exclusively to God, that you may express the virtues of the One who called you out of darkness [i.e., of sin and error], and into His marvelous light [i.e., righteousness and truth].

¹⁷ Show [proper] respect for everyone. Love your [Christian] brothers [and sisters]. Have an awe-inspiring respect for God. Show honor to the king.

²¹ [After all], this is what you were called to do, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps.

⁷ [You] husbands, in the same way, should live with your wives in an understanding way, recognizing their feminine nature as being physically weaker than yours, and showing special honor to them because of it. [Realize] that sharing your lives together is a gracious gift [from God]. [If you have the right relationship with them] it will help avoid problems in your prayer lives. ⁸ Now to summarize: All of you should think alike. Be sympathetically understanding [toward one another]. Be loving toward [your] brothers [and sisters]. Be tender-hearted and humble-minded. ⁹ Do not repay a wrong action with [another] wrong action, nor abusive [language] with [additional] abuse, but rather be a blessing [to one another]. For the purpose of your being called [by God] was so that you could receive a blessing [from Him eventually].

²¹ This water prefigured immersion [into Christ], which now also saves you, not by removing dirt from the [physical] body, but [by serving] as an appeal [or, “pledge”] to God for a clear conscience through the raising of Jesus Christ from the dead.

² So then, you should no longer live the rest of your lives [to satisfy] the sinful desires of your body, but to do what God wants. ³ For the time you have [already] spent in the past [i.e., as Gentile unbelievers] was long enough to have practiced unrestrained, indecent conduct, improper sexual cravings, riotous living, wild parties, drunken orgies and disgusting idol worship.

¹ So, the elders in the various places where you live, are to receive the following exhortation. (I too, am an elder and have witnessed the sufferings of Christ, and am also assured of partaking of the glorious [salvation, 1:5] that will someday be revealed).

¹⁰ And the God who bestows every unearned favor [upon His people], who invited you to partake of His eternal splendor through Christ Jesus, will restore, confirm, strengthen and stabilize you people [in the faith], after you have gone through a brief time of suffering.

¹² This brief message is being inscribed [or delivered] by Silvanus, whom I consider to be a faithful brother. [In it] I am exhorting you and giving testimony that it is a message about God’s genuine unearned favor upon you. So, continue to follow [and obey] what it says.

¹ [This letter is being written by] Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith just as precious as ours, through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. ² [May God’s] unearned favor and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

² [May God’s] unearned favor and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. ³ God’s divine power has given us everything [necessary] for [abundant] life and godly living, through the knowledge of Him [i.e., God], who called us by His own splendor and goodness.

³ God’s divine power has given us everything [necessary] for [abundant] life and godly living, through the knowledge of Him [i.e., God], who called us by His own splendor and goodness. ⁴ By these [blessings] He has given to us the precious and tremendous promises, so that you people may share in His divine nature, [after] having escaped the world’s corruption, caused by evil desires.

⁴ By these [blessings] He has given to us the precious and tremendous promises, so that you people may share in His divine nature, [after] having escaped the world’s corruption, caused by evil desires. ⁵ And for this very reason, you people should make every effort to develop goodness along with your faith,

⁵ And for this very reason, you people should make every effort to develop goodness along with your faith, ⁶ and knowledge along with your goodness, and self-control along with your knowledge, and endurance along with your self-control, and godliness along with your endurance, ⁷ and brotherly kindness along with your godliness, and with your brotherly kindness, develop love. ⁸ For if you people have a lot of these [qualities] they will keep you from being unproductive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁰ So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God].

¹² Therefore, I intend to constantly remind you people about these things [i.e., those mentioned in verses 5-11], even though you [already] know them, and have been established in the truth you now possess. ¹³ But I consider it the right thing to do, as long as I am in this “tent” [Note: This is an allusion to his still being alive], to stir up your memory [of these things], ¹⁴ knowing that [I will] soon put off my “tent” [i.e., I will soon die], even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that, after I leave [i.e., die], you will always be able to recall the things [I said to you].

¹⁸ [Although] their talk is big, what they say is worthless, and by [offering people] fleshly desires [i.e., sexual gratification], they lead people astray, who are barely escaping from the error of the world. ¹⁹ [Although] these people promise “liberty,” they themselves are slaves to corrupting influences, for people are slaves to whatever controls them. ²⁰ For if people who have escaped from the defiling practices of the world by coming to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, become tangled up in them again, and are overcome by them, these people are worse off than before they were converted.

²⁰ For if people who have escaped from the defiling practices of the world by coming to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, become tangled up in them again, and are overcome by them, these people are worse off than before they were converted.

¹ This is now, my dearly loved ones, the second letter I am writing to you; in both of them, as a reminder, I want to stir up your sincere thoughts

³ First of all, you should understand that, in the final days, mockers with evil desires will come [to you] saying, mockingly,

³ First of all, you should understand that, in the final days, mockers with evil desires will come [to you] saying, mockingly, ⁴ “Why has the promise of a coming Messiah [not been fulfilled yet]? After all, since the time our ancestors died, everything has continued the same, even since the beginning of creation!”

¹¹ Since all these things are [certain] to be destroyed, what kind of persons should you be, [if not like those] living holy lives, and in a godly manner,

¹⁴ So, my dearly loved ones, while you are waiting for these things [to happen], do your best to be found at peace with God, pure and blameless in His sight.

¹⁷ Therefore, dearly loved ones, since you know about these things ahead of time, be on your guard so that you are not led astray by the error of lawless people, and [thus] fall from your own stability [i.e., your safe or secure position in Christ]. ¹⁸ But grow in the unearned favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May He be honored both now and forever. May it be so.

¹ We [apostles] proclaim to you [the truth about Jesus], who existed from the beginning [of time]. We have heard [Him] and seen [Him] with our [own] eyes. We looked at Him, and [even] touched Him with our hands. [See John 20:20]. [So, we proclaim that] He is the word of life [i.e., the life-giving Word]! ² Truly, this “Life” was made known to us and we have [actually] seen it [i.e., Him], and so we testify and proclaim to you [that He is] “the Eternal Life,” who was with the Father and was made known to us [apostles]. ³ We declare to you what we have seen and heard [concerning Christ], so that you also may share a relationship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

⁷ But, if we live in the light [of righteousness] just like God [constantly] lives in the light [of righteousness], we can truly share a relationship with one another and [can know that] the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, continues to cleanse [our spirits] from all of our sins.

⁹ The person who claims to be living in [harmony with] the light [i.e., by obeying God’s truth], and [yet] hates his brother is still [living] in the darkness [of sin]. ¹⁰ [However], the person who loves his brother continues to live in [harmony with] the light [of God’s truth], and such a person is not the cause of others stumbling [over his example]. ¹¹ But the person who hates his brother is in the darkness [of sin] and he lives in [harmony with] that darkness, and he does not know where he is heading, because the darkness [of sin] has blinded his eyes [to his spiritual condition].

¹⁵ You should not love the [godless] world, nor the things [i.e., the materialistic values] that are part of this [present] age. If any person loves the world, a [genuine] love for the Father is not in his heart. ¹⁶ For all that makes up the world, namely, the improper desires of the physical body, the improper desires for what is seen, and the [boastful] pride over life’s possessions; these are not from the Father, but from the [godless] world.

²¹ I did not write to you people because you are ignorant of the truth [about these matters], but because you do know it, and because nothing false belongs to the true teaching.

²⁵ And this is the promise which Christ [or, “God”] has given to us: [It is] never ending life. [Note: This passage may mean that God promised us “the Eternal Life,” that is, Christ, See John 3:16].

² Dearly loved ones, we are God’s children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!

¹⁴ [For] we [can] know that we have passed out of [the realm of spiritual] death and into [spiritual] life, because we [show] love for the brothers [and sisters]. The person who does not love [them] continues to be [spiritually] dead.

¹⁶ Here is how we can know what genuine love really is: It was [demonstrated by] Jesus laying down His life [on the cross] for us. And [because of that] we [too] should [be willing to] lay down our lives for [the sake of helping] our brothers [and sisters].

¹⁹ And this is how we will know that we are following [God’s] truth, and will have assurance [of it] in our hearts and before God [as well]. ²⁰ But, if our hearts condemn us [for not demonstrating God’s love for others], surely God, who is greater than our hearts [will also condemn us], because He knows all things. ²¹ Loved ones, if our hearts do not condemn us [i.e., because we are showing love by helping the needy], we can have boldness before God [in prayer for our own needs];

¹⁴ And we [apostles] have seen and are [reliable] witnesses that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world [See 1:2; 2:2].

²¹ And this is the [greatest] commandment [See Matt. 2:37-38] we have received from Him: [It requires] that the person who [claims to] love God should also love his brother.

¹⁰ The person who [sincerely] believes in God’s Son has the evidence [of it] within his heart, [confirming God’s testimony]. The person who does not believe God [i.e., what He says about Jesus], accuses Him of lying, because he has not accepted the [irrefutable] testimony of God concerning [the identity and mission of] His Son.

²⁰ And [in addition], we know that the Son of God has come [in a physical body, See 4:2] and has given us understanding, so that we can know the True One [i.e., God], and that we are in [fellowship with] the True One, even His Son Jesus Christ. This Son is the true God and eternal life. ²¹ Little children [i.e., dear ones], protect yourselves from [worshiping] idols.

² [We all love you] because of the truth which continues to live in our hearts and will be with us forever. ³ Unearned favor, mercy and peace will be with us from God, the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love [i.e., truth and love will accompany the other blessings].

⁶ These people testify about your love [for them] before the [assembled] church. You will be doing a good thing to send them on their journey in a way that is pleasing to God [i.e., by furnishing them with travel expenses for their ministry].

¹ [This is being written by] Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, and a brother of James [Note: This “Jude” was probably not the apostle. See verses 17-18], to those who have been called [by God], who are also loved in [fellowship with] God the Father, and who are kept [safe] in [fellowship with] Jesus Christ. ² May there be mercy toward you people, and may your peace and love increase. ³ Dearly loved ones, as I was very eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we share in common, I felt it necessary [instead] to write urging you to contend earnestly for the faith [i.e., the teaching of Christ] which was once and for all delivered [by the apostles, See verse 17] to the saints [i.e., God’s holy people].

⁵ But, I want to remind you, [even] though you already know the stories about how the Lord delivered His people from Egyptian [bondage], and then [later] destroyed those who did not believe [in Him].

¹⁴ And it was also prophesied about [these] people by Enoch, the seventh [descendant] of Adam [Gen. 5:18-24], who said, “Look, the Lord came with thousands upon thousands [Note: The Greek uses the plural form of “myriad,” which means 10,000] of His holy ones [i.e., angels],

¹⁷ But you dearly loved ones, you should remember the message that was previously told to you by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,

⁴ [This book is from] John [and is being sent] to the seven churches that are in Asia [Note: This refers to the province of Asia Minor, a part of present-day Turkey]. May there be unearned favor and peace to you from God, the One who is [in the present], who was [in the past] and who will come [in the future], and from the seven spirits that are in front of God’s throne [Note: Because the number “seven” was regarded as the number of perfection by the Jews, it is thought that this refers to the Holy Spirit].

⁷ Look, He [i.e., Jesus] is coming with [i.e., “on”] the clouds! And [then] every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him, and all the peoples of the earth will grieve because of Him [i.e., because of how they had treated Him]. So it will be. May it be so.

⁹ I [am] John, your brother who participates with you in the suffering and kingdom and endurance [which we experience] in [fellowship with] Jesus. I was on the island called Patmos for [preaching] God’s message and for testifying about Jesus. [Note: Patmos was located in the Aegean Sea between present-day Greece and Turkey].

² I know about your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. [I know] that you cannot tolerate wicked men and that you have tested those who call themselves apostles, but really are not, and found them to be liars.

²⁸ And I will give him the morning star [Note: Jesus is called “the Morning Star” in 22:16].

¹⁰ Because you have obeyed my command to remain steadfast [in the face of difficult times], I will also keep you from [giving up when] the time of trial comes, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those living on the earth. ¹¹ I am coming soon [or, suddenly. See 2:16, 25; 3:3]. Hold on firmly to what you have [i.e., opportunity, obedience, steadfastness, etc.] so that no one takes away your crown [See 2:10].

¹⁷ For you are saying, ‘I am wealthy; I have made plenty of money and do not need anything.’ But you do not know that you are [spiritually] wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

²¹ The person who has victory [in the Christian life], I will grant him [the privilege of] sitting down with me on my throne, as I also had victory and sat down with my Father on His throne.

¹⁰ and you made them into a kingdom and a priesthood for [serving] our God, and they will rule on the earth.”

¹⁰ If anyone goes [or “leads others”] into captivity, he will go into captivity [himself]; if anyone is killed [or “kills others”] with the sword, he will be killed with the sword [himself]. Here is [where] God’s holy people [need] perseverance and faith.

¹² Here is [where] God’s holy people, who obey His commandments and the faith of Jesus, [need] perseverance.

¹⁰ Then I fell down in front of him to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am [only] a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers who hold onto the testimony about Jesus. You should worship God. For the testimony about Jesus is the spirit [i.e., the purpose, or source] of prophecy.”

¹⁴ Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star.”