2 Peter 3
1 My friends, this is my second letter to you. In both of them I've tried to stir you up and remind you to think clearly with pure minds.
Beloved, this second epistle I now write to you, in which epistles I stir up your sincere mind to remembrance:
2 Remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and what the Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.
to be mindful of the words before spoken by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour.
3 Above all you should know that derisive people will come in the last days, full of mockery and following their own evil desires.
Knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking after their own lusts,
4 “So what happened to this coming he promised?” they ask. “Right from the time our ancestors died, everything's continued as it always has, ever since creation began.”
and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for from the time the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as at the beginning of the creation.
5 But they deliberately ignore the fact that by God's command the heavens were created long ago. The earth came into existence from the water, and was surrounded by water.
But this willfully escapes them, that, by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth subsisting from the water, and by water:
6 It was through water that the world that then existed was destroyed—through being flooded by water.
by which the world that then was, being deluged with water, perished.
7 But by means of that same divine command the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for destruction by fire at the day of judgment when the wicked will be destroyed.
But the present heavens and the earth, by the same word are treasured up, being kept for fire to a day of judgment, and destruction of ungodly men.
8 However, my friends, don't forget this one thing: that for the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day.
But this one thing, let it not escape you, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not delaying the fulfillment of his promise, as some define delay, but he is being very patient with you. He doesn't want anyone to be lost, but everyone to come and repent.
The Lord does not delay his promise in the manner some account delaying; but he exercises long-suffering toward us, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to reformation.
10 However, the day of the Lord will come, unexpectedly like a thief. The heavens will explode with a thunderous roar, and the elements will be destroyed as they are burned up. The earth and everything in it will vanish.
However, as thief, the day of the Lord will come; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements burning shall be dissolved; and the earth, and the works that are upon it, shall be utterly burned.
11 Since everything is going to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? You should be living lives that are pure, dedicated to God,
Seeing, then, all these things shall be dissolved; --what sort of persons ought you to be, in holy behavior and godliness,
12 waiting expectantly and being eager for the coming of the day of God. That day the heavens will catch fire and be destroyed, and the elements will melt in the heat.
expecting and earnestly desiring, the coming of the day of God; in which the heavens being set on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements burning, shall be melted?
13 But as for us, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth that God has promised where everything is good and right.
But we, according to his promise, expect new heavens, and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.
14 So, my friends, since you're anticipating these things, make sure you'll be found pure and blameless, and at peace with God.
Wherefore, beloved, expecting these things, diligently endeavor to be found of him spotless, and irreproachable, in peace.
15 Remember that it is our Lord's patience that gives the opportunity for salvation. That's what our dear brother Paul was explaining to you in all his letters with the wisdom given to him by God.
And reckon the long-suffering of our Lord, to be for salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.
16 He spoke about these things, though some of what he wrote is certainly hard to understand. Some ignorant and unbalanced people have twisted what he wrote to their own loss—just as they do other scriptures.
As, indeed, in all his epistles, speaking in them concerning these things: in which there are some things hard to be understood, which the untaught and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 My friends, since you already know this, make sure that these errors of the wicked don't lead you astray, and you don't fall from your firm position.
Therefore, beloved, foreknowing these things, be on your guard; lest being also carried away by the deceit of the lawless, you fall from your own steadfastness.
The World is Destroyed by Water
