2 Peter 1:19-21
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KJV
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive 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 human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.[a]
- [a] Other ancient authorities read but moved by the Holy Spirit saints of God spoke
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.[a] (RSV)
- [a] Other authorities read moved by the Holy Spirit holy men of God spoke
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
19 Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, 21 for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
NET Bible translators' note
Grk "knowing this [to be] foremost." Τοῦτο πρῶτον (touto proton) constitute the object and complement of γινώσκοντες (ginoskontes). The participle is dependent on the main verb in v. 19 ("you do well [if you pay attention]"), probably in a conditional usage. An alternative is to take it imperativally: "Above all, know this." In this rendering, πρῶτον is functioning adverbially. Only here and 2 Pet 3:3 is τοῦτο πρῶτον found in the NT, making a decision more difficult.
"Private Interpretation"
Critical Thinking requires us to question our own interpretations, whether or not Peter's teaching here should be understood as translated by KJV and NRSV.
For v.21, see Inspiration.
