English: Easy to Read Version

[1] 1:1 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[2] 1:2 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[3] 1:3 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[4] 1:11 kingdom See "God's kingdom."

[5] 1:17 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[6] 1:18 Jesus heard . holy mountain This event is described in the gospels. See Mt. 17:1-8; Mk. 9:2-8; Lk. 9:28-36.

[7] 1:19 prophet A person who speaks a message from God. Many of the books in the Old Testament are messages spoken or written by "the prophets," who were some of those God chose to speak for him. God often used dreams or visions to tell or show his prophets what they should say.

[8] 1:20 prophecy A message or teaching from God. Also, the ability and authority from God to speak for him.

[9] 1:20 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[10] 1:21 Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. In union with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.

[11] 2:1 false prophet A person who claims to speak for God but does not really speak God's truth.

[12] 2:10 the glorious ones Literally, "the glories." These seem to be some kind of angelic beings.

[13] 2:14 under a curse Literally, "children of a curse," meaning that God will punish them.

[14] 2:15 Balaam A non-Israelite prophet in the Old Testament who was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse his enemy Israel. Read Num. 22-24.

[15] 2:21 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[16] 2:22 Quote from Prov. 26:11.

[17] 3:2 prophet A person who speaks a message from God. Many of the books in the Old Testament are messages spoken or written by "the prophets," who were some of those God chose to speak for him. God often used dreams or visions to tell or show his prophets what they should say.

[18] 3:2 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[19] 3:10 will be burned up Among the other readings of this text in early Greek copies, many have "will be found," and one has "will disappear."

[20] 3:11 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[21] 3:16 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[22] 3:18 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[23] 3:18 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[24] 3:18 Amen A Hebrew word meaning "That's right," "True," or "Yes." It is used to express strong agreement with what has been said.