…the message proclaimed by the prophets.
You must pay close attention to what they wrote,
for their words are like a lamp
shining in a dark place—
until the Day dawns,
and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.
…no prophecy in Scripture ever came from
the prophet’s own understanding…
those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit,
and they spoke from God.
All praise to God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is by his great mercy that we have been born again,
because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
Now we live with great expectation,
and we have a priceless inheritance—
an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you,
pure and undefiled,
beyond the reach of change and decay.
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise,
as some people think.
No, he is being patient for your sake.
He does not want anyone to be destroyed,
but wants everyone to repent.
But the day of the Lord will come
as unexpectedly as a thief.
Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise,
and the very elements themselves
will disappear in fire,
and the earth and everything on it
will be found to deserve judgment.
Give all your worries and cares to God,
for he cares about you.
Stay alert!
Watch out for your great enemy,
the devil.
He prowls around like a roaring lion,
looking for someone to devour.
Stand firm against him,
and be strong in your faith…
…you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer,
always be ready to explain it.
But do this in a gentle and respectful way…
…be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.
…keep on doing what is right,
and trust your lives to the God who created you,
for he will never fail you.
Don’t repay evil for evil.
Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.
Instead, pay them back with a blessing.
That is what God has called you to do,
and he will grant you his blessing.
…The earnest prayer of a righteous person
has great power
and produces wonderful results.
…if someone among you wanders away from the truth
and is brought back,
you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back
from wandering
will save that person from death…
…be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return.
Consider the farmers
who patiently wait
for the rains in the fall and in the spring.
They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
You, too, must be patient.
Take courage,
for the coming of the Lord is near.
So humble yourselves before God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
Come close to God,
and God will come close to you…
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.
It is also peace loving,
gentle at all times,
and willing to yield to others.
It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds.
it shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace
and reap a harvest of righteousness.
