Peter encourages believers to cultivate virtues such as faith, knowledge, and love, and reminds them of the importance of prophecy and scripture, which is inspired by the Holy Spirit. He warns of false prophets and teachers who will introduce destructive divisions and deny the Lord, and notes that God will judge the wicked and rescue the righteous. The author also warns of deceitful mockers who will deny the Lord's promise and advent, and exhorts believers to live holy lives, awaiting the new heavens and the new earth, and to be cautious of false teachings.