2 Peter 3

1 This letter that I am now writing to you whom I love, is the second [letter] that I have written to you. [In both] these letters I have reminded you [about the things you already know, in order that I may] stimulate/cause you to think sincerely [about those things].

2 [I want you] to remember the words that were spoken by the holy prophets {that the holy prophets spoke} long ago, and also to remember what our Lord and Savior commanded, things that we, your apostles, told you about.

3 It is important for you to understand that in the time [immediately] before Christ comes back, there will be people who will ridicule [the idea of his coming back. Those people will do whatever] evil things they wish to do.

4 They will say, “[Although it was] promised [that Christ] will come back, ([nothing has happened that would indicate] that he is coming back./[what happened to the promise] that he is coming back?) [RHQ] We say that because ever since the [Christian] leaders [who lived] long ago died [EUP], everything [has remained the same]. Things are as [they always have been] since God created [the world!]”

5 [They will say that because] they (deliberately overlook [the fact/have decided to ignore what they know]) that God, by commanding [long ago that it should be so], caused the heavens to exist, and he caused the earth to appear out of water and to be separate from the water.

6 And God, by [commanding that it should be so], later destroyed the world [that existed] at that time, by causing the earth to be flooded with water {water to flood the earth}.

7 Furthermore, [God], commanded that the heavens and the earth [that exist] now remain until the time when [he] will judge (ungodly people/people whose lives are not pleasing to him). And at that time [he] will destroy the heavens and the earth by burning them.

8 Dear friends, I want you to understand well that the Lord [God is willing to wait a long time to judge the people in the world! How much time passes before] the Lord God [judges the people in the world does not matter to him! He considers] that one day [passes no more quickly than] 1,000 years, and [he also considers] that 1,000 years [pass as quickly as] one day passes [to us]!

9 [Therefore, you should not think that because Christ has not yet come back to judge people], the Lord God is (delaying/slow to do) what he promised. Some people think that this is so, [and they say that Christ will never come back]. But [you should understand that the reason why Christ has not yet come back to judge people is that] God is being patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be lost [eternally]. Instead, he wants everyone to turn away from their sinful behavior.

10 Although [God is being patient, at] the time [MTY] [that he has chosen], the Lord [Jesus Christ] will [certainly] come back [to judge people]. He will come back [unexpectedly], like a thief [SIM] [comes unexpectedly]. At that time there will be a great roaring sound. The heavens will cease to exist. (The elements/The parts [of which the universe consists]) will be destroyed by fire, and the earth [that God made] and everything on it [that people have made] will disappear (OR, will be burned up).

11 Because God will certainly destroy all these things like [I just said], you certainly know how you should behave. [RHQ] You should behave (in a [godly manner/] a [manner that pleases God])

12 while you [eagerly/expectantly] wait for [Christ] to return on the day that God [has chosen] [MTY], and you should try to make that day come soon. Because of what [God] [PRS] [will do on that day], the heavens will be destroyed. (The elements/The parts of which the universe consist) will melt and burn up.

13 Although [all those events/things will happen, we rejoice because] we are waiting for the new heavens and new earth that [God] has promised. The [only people who will be] in the new heavens and on this new earth will be [people who are] [PRS] righteous.

14 Therefore, dear friends, because you are waiting for these things [to happen], do all that you can [live] (in a [godly manner/] a [manner that pleases God]), [in order that Christ] will see that you [are] completely pure [DOU] [and that you are living] peacefully [with each other].

15 And think about this: Our Lord [Jesus Christ is] patient [because he wants] people to be saved. Our dear (brother/fellow believer) Paul also wrote wise words to you [about these same matters], because God enabled him to understand [these] ([events/things that will happen]).

16 In the [letters] that Paul wrote there are certain things that are difficult for people to understand. People [who are spiritually] ignorant and (unstable/do not believe firmly in Christ) interpret these things wrongly, as they also (interpret/explain the meaning of) the other parts of the Scriptures wrongly. The result is that they will destroy themselves [spiritually], and [God] will punish them.

17 Therefore, dear friends, [since you already know about those who teach what is false], (guard against them/beware). Do not let those wicked people deceive you by telling you things that are wrong, with the result that you yourselves begin to doubt [what you now firmly believe].

18 [Instead, live in such a manner that you] experience more and more our Savior Jesus Christ being kind [to you], and that you get to know him [better and better]. 2 Peter 3:18b [I pray/desire that Jesus Christ] will be honored both now and forever! (aiōn g165)

The World is Destroyed by Water