3:1 | This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: |
3:2 | That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: |
3:3 | Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, |
3:4 | And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation. |
3:5 | For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: |
3:6 | By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: |
3:7 | But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire for the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. |
3:8 | But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. |
3:9 | The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. |
3:10 | But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are in it shall be burned up. |
3:11 | [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conduct and godliness, |
3:12 | Looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God, when the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? |
3:13 | Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness. |
3:14 | Therefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless. |
3:15 | And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him hath written to you; |
3:16 | As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. |
3:17 | Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. |
3:18 | But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen. |