2 Peter 3

1 Beloved, this second epistle I now write to you, in which epistles I stir up your sincere mind to remembrance:

Dear ones, this is now a second letter I am writing to you (in both of which I stir up your sincere mind by way of reminder),

2 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.

so that you remember the words that were spoken before by the holy prophets and the command of the Lord and Savior, through your apostles.

3 Knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking after their own lusts,

Knowing this first: in the last days mockers will come, living according to their own lusts

4 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.

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 creation.”

5 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:

This because they deliberately ignore that heavens and land (out of water and through water) had been existing from of old by the word of God,

6 by which the world that then was, being deluged with water, perished.

by which word the world that then was perished, being flooded by water.

7 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.

But the current heavens, and the earth, are being reserved by His word for fire, being preserved until the day of judgment and perdition of godless men.

8 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.

But dear ones, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 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.

The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider delay, but rather is patient toward us, not wishing anyone to perish but all to come into repentance.

10 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.

However, the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night, in which heavens will pass away with a whoosh, while the elements will be dissolved by burning—both the earth and the works in it will be completely consumed.

11 Seeing, then, all these things shall be dissolved; --what sort of persons ought you to be, in holy behavior and godliness,

Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,

12 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?

expecting and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

13 But we, according to his promise, expect new heavens, and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.

Nevertheless, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which dwells righteousness, according to His promise.

14 Wherefore, beloved, expecting these things, diligently endeavor to be found of him spotless, and irreproachable, in peace.

Therefore, dear ones, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, faultless and blameless;

15 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.

and consider the longsuffering of our Lord to be salvation—just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him,

16 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.

as also in all his epistles (speaking in them of these things, about which there are some things hard to understand), which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 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.

You therefore, dear ones, being forewarned, be on guard lest, being carried away by the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.

18 But grow in favor, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (aiōn g165)

Rather, may you grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and into the eternal day. Amen. (aiōn g165)

The World is Destroyed by Water