^2 (A)and like newborn babies, long for the ^[a](B)pure ^[b]milk of the word, so that by it you may ^(C)grow ^[c]in respect to salvation,

⁴ Through ^[a]these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent ^(A)promises, so that by them you may become ^(B)partakers of the divine nature, having ^(C)escaped the ^(D)corruption that is in ^(E)the world on account of lust. ⁵ Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith ^(F)supply ^(G)moral ^[b]excellence, and in your moral excellence, ^(H)knowledge, ⁶ and in your knowledge, ^(I)self-control, and in your self-control, ^(J)perseverance, and in your perseverance, ^(K)godliness, ⁷ and in your godliness, ^(L)brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor ^(M)unproductive in the true ^(N)knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For the one who lacks these qualities is ^(O)blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his ^(P)purification from his former sins.

¹⁸ but grow in the grace and ^(A)knowledge of our ^(B)Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ^(C)To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.