Epistula II Petri, 1

1. Simon Petrus servus et apo stolus Iesu Christi his, qui coae qualem nobis sortiti sunt fidem in iustitia Dei nostri et salvatoris Iesu Christi:

1. Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2. gratia vobis et pax multiplicetur in cognitione Dei et Iesu Domini nostri.

2. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3. Quomodo omnia nobis divinae virtutis suae ad vitam et pietatem donatae per cognitionem eius, qui vocavit nos propria gloria et virtute,

3. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

4. per quae pretiosa et maxima nobis promissa donata sunt, ut per haec efficiamini divinae consortes naturae, fugientes eam, quae in mundo est in concupiscentia, corruptionem;

4. by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature.

5. et propter hoc ipsum curam omnem subinferentes ministrate in fide vestra virtutem, in virtute autem scientiam,

5. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

6. in scientia autem continentiam, in continentia autem patientiam, in patientia autem pietatem,

6. and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,

7. in pietate autem amorem fraternitatis, in amore autem fraternitatis caritatem.

7. and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

8. Haec enim vobis, cum adsint et abundent, non vacuos nec sine fructu vos constituunt in Domini nostri Iesu Christi cognitionem;

8. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9. cui enim non praesto sunt haec, caecus est et nihil procul cernens, oblivionem accipiens purgationis veterum suorum delictorum.

9. For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10. Quapropter, fratres, magis satagite, ut firmam vestram vocationem et electionem faciatis. Haec enim facientes non offendetis aliquando;

10. Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall;

11. sic enim abundanter ministrabitur vobis introitus in aeternum regnum Domini nostri et salvatoris Iesu Christi.

11. so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12. Propter quod incipiam vos semper commonere de his, et quidem scientes et confirmatos in praesenti veritate.

12. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.

13. Iustum autem arbitror, quamdiu sum in hoc tabernaculo, suscitare vos in commonitione,

13. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder,

14. certus quod velox est depositio tabernaculi mei, secundum quod et Dominus noster Iesus Christus significavit mihi;

14. since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.

15. dabo autem operam et frequenter habere vos post obitum meum, ut horum memoriam faciatis.

15. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

16. Non enim captiosas fabulas secuti notam fecimus vobis Domini nostri Iesu Christi virtutem et adventum, sed speculatores facti illius magnitudinis.

16. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17. Accipiens enim a Deo Patre honorem et gloriam, voce prolata ad eum huiuscemodi a magnifica gloria: “Filius meus, dilectus meus hic est, in quo ego mihi complacui”;

17. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,"

18. et hanc vocem nos audivimus de caelo prolatam, cum essemus cum ipso in monte sancto.

18. we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

19. Et habemus firmiorem propheticum sermonem, cui bene facitis attendentes quasi lucernae lucenti in caliginoso loco, donec dies illucescat, et lucifer oriatur in cordibus vestris,

19. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

20. hoc primum intellegentes quod omnis prophetia Scripturae propria interpretatione non fit;

20. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

21. non enim voluntate humana prolata est prophetia aliquando, sed a Spiritu Sancto ducti locuti sunt a Deo homines.

21. because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.