彼得後書 3
1 親愛的諸位！這已是我給你們寫的第二封信，在這兩封信中，我都用提醒的話，來鼓勵你們應有赤誠的心，
THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I rouse up your sincere mind by awakening your recollection
2 叫你們想起聖先知們以前說過的話，以及你們的宗徒們傳授的主和救世者的誡命。
to remember the words, that have been spoken aforetime by the holy prophets, and the injunction of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 首先你們該知道：在末日要出現一些愛嘲笑戲弄，按照自己的私慾生活的人，
knowing this principally, that in the last of the days there will come scoffers, walking after their own lewd passions,
4 他們說：「那裏有他所應許的來臨？因為自從我們的父老長眠以來，一切照舊存在，全如創造之初一樣。」
and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue in the same state as from the beginning of the creation.
5 他們故意忘記了：在太古之時，因天主的話，就有了天，也有了由水中出現，並在水中而存在的地；
For this they chuse to keep out of sight, that by the word of God the heavens were created of old, and the earth rising out of the water and subsisting amidst the water;
6 又因天主的話和水，當時的世界為水所淹沒而消滅了；
whence the world then existing, being deluged by water, was destroyed;
7 甚至連現有的天地，還是因天主的話得以保存，直存到審判及惡人喪亡的日子，被火焚燒。
but the present heavens and earth by the same word are treasured up, reserved for fire at the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 親愛的諸位，惟有這一件事你們不可忘記：就是在天主前一日如千年，千年如一日。
But let not this particular be concealed from you, beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 主決不遲延他的應許，有如某些人所想像的；其實是他對妳們含忍，不願任何人喪亡，只願眾人回心轉意。
The Lord doth not delay the promise (as some count it delay); but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should have space for repentance.
10 可是，主的日子必要如盜賊一樣來到；在那一日，天要轟然過去，所有的原質都要因烈火而溶化，大地及其中所有的工程，也都要被焚毀。
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief by night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a rushing noise, and the first principles of matter in flames dissolve, and the earth and all the works upon it be burnt up.
11 這一切既然都要這樣消失，那麼，你們應該怎樣以聖潔和虔敬的態度生活，
Seeing then that all these things must be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be in a course of holy conduct and acts of piety,
12 以等候並催促天主日子的來臨！在這日子上，天要為火所焚毀，所有的原質也要因烈火而溶化；
expecting and hastening towards the coming of God’s day, at which the heavens on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements in flames be melted as wax?
13 可是，我們卻按照他的應許，等候正義常住在其中的新天新地。
But we expect according to his promise new heavens and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousness.
14 為此，親愛的諸位，你們既然等候這一切，就應該勉力，使他見到你們沒有玷污，沒有瑕疵，安然無懼；
Wherefore, beloved, seeing ye are expecting these things, be diligent to be found of him in peace, spotless and blameless.
15 並應以我們主的容忍當作得救的機會；這也是我們可愛的弟兄保祿，本著賜與他的智慧，曾給你們寫過的；
And account the long suffering of our Lord conducive to salvation; as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, hath written unto you;
16 也正如他在談論這些事時，在一切書信內所寫過的。在這些書信內，有些難懂的地方，不學無術和站立不穩的人，便加以曲解，一如曲解其他經典一樣，而自趨喪亡。
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, of which some are difficult to be understood, which the uninstructed and the unstable torture, as indeed they do the rest of the scriptures unto their own destruction.
17 所以，親愛的諸位，你們既預先知道了這些事，就應該提防，免得為不法之徒的錯謬所誘惑，而由自己的堅固立場跌下來。
Ye therefore, beloved, knowing this before, be on your guard, that ye be not carried away with the delusion of these lawless men, and fall from your own stedfastness.
The World is Destroyed by Water
