2 Peter 1:16-18 [RSV] 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) 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) we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
2Peter 1:16-18 [NWT] 16 No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, we were eyewitnesses of his magnificence. u 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory when words such as these* were conveyed to him by the magnificent glory: “This is my Son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.” v 18 Yes, these words we heard coming from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain.
Saint Peter recalls the mount of Transfiguration and the Father's testimony to (and about) Jesus Christ. It's interesting that even Jehovah's witnesses fairly accurately translate this passage, with the exception of "coming" which they do not use substituting "presence" in its place.
Saint Peter regards the Father's testimony as a guarantee of the truth which is even more reliable than holy scripture, insofar as it relies on God alone rather than being mediated through a prophet and writings left by the prophet. He continues saying the following:
2 Peter 1:19-21 [RSV] 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) First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, (21) because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:19-21 [NWT ]19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp w shining in a dark place (until day dawns and a daystar x rises) in your hearts. 20 For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, y but men spoke from God as they were moved* by holy spirit. z
2Peter 1:16-18 [NWT] 16 No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, we were eyewitnesses of his magnificence. u 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory when words such as these* were conveyed to him by the magnificent glory: “This is my Son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.” v 18 Yes, these words we heard coming from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain.
Saint Peter recalls the mount of Transfiguration and the Father's testimony to (and about) Jesus Christ. It's interesting that even Jehovah's witnesses fairly accurately translate this passage, with the exception of "coming" which they do not use substituting "presence" in its place.
Saint Peter regards the Father's testimony as a guarantee of the truth which is even more reliable than holy scripture, insofar as it relies on God alone rather than being mediated through a prophet and writings left by the prophet. He continues saying the following:
2 Peter 1:19-21 [RSV] 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) First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, (21) because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:19-21 [NWT ]19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp w shining in a dark place (until day dawns and a daystar x rises) in your hearts. 20 For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, y but men spoke from God as they were moved* by holy spirit. z
