⁴ Through these he gave us the very great and precious promises. [^L…so that] With these gifts you can ·share in [partake of; participate in] ·God’s nature [^Lthe divine nature; ^Cwhich enables us to live forever], ·and the world will not ruin you with its evil desires [or having escaped the world’s decay that was caused by its evil desires].

⁵ ·Because you have these blessings [^LFor this very reason; ^Cthe reasons stated in vv. 3–4], ·do your best [make every effort; strive] to ·add these things to [or increase these things in] your lives: to your faith, add ·goodness [virtue; moral excellence]; and to your ·goodness [virtue; moral excellence], add knowledge; ⁶ and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add ·patience [or perseverance]; and to your ·patience [or perseverance], add ·service for God [devotion; piety; godliness];