I think it right includes the two elements of rightness and duty; so Jerusalem Bible has “I am sure it is my duty,” and Phillips has “I consider it my duty.”

As long as I am in this body is literally “as long as I am in this tent,” as the Revised Standard Version footnote shows. Two explanations have been given regarding this metaphorical language:

1. The Greek word for “tent” was a popular term for the body, conveying the idea that the body is a temporary dwelling place of the immortal soul, which leaves it after death. Taken in this manner it is another example of the influence of Greek thought within the letter.

2. Another possible background for the metaphor is the nomadic life of God’s people in the Old Testament. During the journeys of the Israelites in the wilderness, they carried tents that they put up whenever they camped.

Whatever the background may be, the whole expression refers to the state of being alive, temporary though it may be, and this can be stated directly in the translation (as in Good News Translation “as long as I am alive”). So, while Peter is still alive, he wants to arouse (New Revised Standard Version “refresh”) the memory of the readers. This is literally “to rouse you up in remembrance.” Some translations give the idea that what is meant here is rousing people up to action by reminding them of some important things (for example, Jerusalem Bible “keep stirring you up with reminders,” and Phillips “to stimulate you by these reminders”). It is more likely, however, that this simply means to refresh the memory, which is what New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation follow. Other ways of expressing this are “cause you to remember these things” or “cause you to think about these things again.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Second Letter from Peter. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .