I.
SHEMUN PETROS, a servant of Jeshu Meshiha, to those who by faith the same in preciousness 1 with us have been made equal, through the righteousness of our Lord and our Redeemer Jeshu Meshiha. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha. As He who all (things) which of the divine power are unto life and godliness 2 hath given (us), through the knowledge of Him who hath called us unto the glory of him and of virtue,3 by annunciations 4 great and precious which he hath given to you, that by them you may be partakers of the divine nature, while you escape the corruption of the lusts which are in the world; So, with this, bringing in all diligence,5 add to your faith virtue; but to virtue knowledge, but to knowledge perseverance, but to perseverance patience, but to patience godliness,2 but to godliness brotherly kindness, but to brotherly kindness love. For while these are found with you, and abound, neither slothfulness nor unfruitfulness will stand against you in the knowledge of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha. For he with whom these are not found is blind, and seeth not, and hath forgotten the purification of his former sins. Upon this the more, my brethren, be careful, that by your good works your calling and your election you may confirm;6 for, while you do these, you will never lapse ;7 for so abundantly shall be given to you the entrance of the eternal kingdom of our Lord and our Saviour Jeshu Meshiha.
Wherefore it doth not weary me to remind you constantly of these, that you may know well, and be established upon this truth. But I consider it right, so long as I am in this body,8 to stir you up in remembrance: knowing that the decease of my body is shortly (to be,) as also our Lord Jeshu Meshiha hath made me know. But be careful also that (these) you may continually have; that also after my going forth the memorial of them you may observe.
For it is not after fables which are made with art that we have gone, in making known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha, but as we were spectators of his majesty. For when he received from Aloha the Father honour and glory, while a voice came to him as this, after the glorious beauty of his majesty, This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I have delighted; we also this voice heard from heaven, as it came to him when we were with him in the holy mount. We have that which is sure also, the word of prophecy; that into which you do well to look, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the sun arise in your hearts. While this first you know, that every prophecy
of the scripture its own solution 9 is not. For not by the will of man came any prophecy, but while by the Holy Spirit led spake the holy men of God.
1 Or, honour.
2 Dechalath Aloha, the fear, reverence, or worship of Aloha.
3 Or, excellence. B'teshbuchtho dileh va-damyathrutho.
4 Nunciatio, promissum: from, to know, make known.
5 Or, gravity. Shekoltano.
6 Or, make sure.
7 Meshtarin, from shara, lapsus est, deliquit, transgressus est.
8 Bephagro hono.
9 Or, every prophecy the solution of its scripture is not. Cul nebiutho shorio dacthobo diloh lo hovo.
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