3:1 | Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written* you, in which* I am trying to stir up* your pure mind by way of reminder: |
3:2 | I want you to recall* both* the predictions* foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.* |
3:3 | Above all, understand this:* In the last days blatant scoffers* will come, being propelled by their own evil urges* |
3:4 | and saying,* “Where is his promised return?* For ever since* our ancestors* died,* all things have continued as they were* from the beginning of creation.” |
3:5 | For they deliberately suppress this fact,* that by the word of God* heavens existed long ago and an earth* was formed out of water and by means of water. |
3:6 | Through these things* the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. |
3:7 | But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.* |
3:8 | Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice,* that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. |
3:9 | The Lord is not slow concerning his promise,* as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish* for any* to perish but for all to come to repentance.* |
3:10 | But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes,* the heavens will disappear* with a horrific noise,* and the celestial bodies* will melt away* in a blaze,* and the earth and every deed done on it* will be laid bare.* |
3:11 | Since all these things are to melt away* in this manner,* what sort of people must we* be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness,* |
3:12 | while waiting for and hastening* the coming of the day of God?* Because of this day,* the heavens will be burned up and* dissolve, and the celestial bodies* will melt away in a blaze!* |
3:13 | But, according to his promise, we are waiting for* new heavens and a new earth, in which* righteousness truly resides.* |
3:14 | Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for* these things, strive to be found* at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence.* |
3:15 | And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation,* just as also our dear brother Paul* wrote to you,* according to the wisdom given to him, |
3:16 | speaking of these things in all his letters.* Some things in these letters* are hard to understand, things* the ignorant and unstable twist* to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures.* |
3:17 | Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned,* be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men* and fall from your firm grasp on the truth.* |
3:18 | But grow in the grace and knowledge* of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on* that eternal day.* |