2 Petrus 3
1 Dies ist nun schon der zweite Brief, Geliebte, den ich euch schreibe; in beiden suche ich die lautere Gesinnung in euch durch (meine) mahnende Erinnerung wachzurufen,
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 damit ihr die Worte, welche die heiligen Propheten zuvor geredet haben, und das von euren Aposteln euch mitgeteilte Gebot unsers Herrn und Erretters in der Erinnerung festhaltet.
[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 Ihr müßt dabei aber zunächst bedenken, daß am Ende der Tage Spötter voll Spottsucht auftreten werden, Menschen, die nach ihren eigenen Lüsten wandeln
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 und sagen: »Wo ist denn seine verheißene Wiederkunft? Seitdem die Väter entschlafen sind, bleibt ja alles doch so, wie es seit Beginn der Schöpfung gewesen ist.«
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 Bei dieser Behauptung lassen sie nämlich unbeachtet, daß es von alters her Himmel gab und eine Erde da war, die aus Wasser und mittelst Wassers kraft des Wortes Gottes ihren Bestand hatte,
[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 und eben deshalb ist die damalige Welt im Wasser durch Überflutung zugrunde gegangen.
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 Der gegenwärtige Himmel und die (jetzige) Erde dagegen sind durch dasselbe Wort für das Feuer aufgespart und werden für den Tag des Gerichts und des Untergangs der gottlosen Menschen aufbewahrt.
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 Ferner dürft ihr dies eine nicht unbeachtet lassen, Geliebte, daß »ein Tag beim Herrn wie tausend Jahre ist und tausend Jahre wie ein Tag«.
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 Der Herr ist mit der (Erfüllung seiner) Verheißung nicht säumig, wie manche Leute (in seinem Verhalten) eine Säumigkeit sehen, sondern er übt Langmut gegen euch, weil er nicht will, daß einige verlorengehen, sondern daß alle zur Buße gelangen.
[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 Kommen aber wird der Tag des Herrn wie ein Dieb; an ihm werden die Himmel mit Krachen vergehen, die Elemente aber in der Flammenglut sich auflösen, und die Erde wird mit allen Menschenwerken, die auf ihr sind, in Feuer aufgehen.
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 Da nun dies alles sich so auflöst, wie muß es da bei euch mit den Erweisen von heiligem Wandel und Gottseligkeit bestellt sein,
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 indem ihr auf die Ankunft des Tages Gottes wartet und euch darauf rüstet, um dessen willen die Himmel im Feuer zergehen werden und die Elemente in der Flammenglut zerschmelzen!
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 Wir erwarten aber nach seiner Verheißung neue Himmel und eine neue Erde, in denen Gerechtigkeit wohnt.
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 Darum, Geliebte, seid in Erwartung dieser Dinge eifrig bemüht, fleckenlos und unsträflich vor ihm erfunden zu werden im Frieden,
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 und erachtet die Langmut unsers Herrn für Errettung, wie ja auch unser geliebter Bruder Paulus nach der ihm verliehenen Weisheit euch geschrieben hat.
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 Ebenso ist es ja in allen seinen Briefen der Fall, wenn er in ihnen auf diese Dinge zu sprechen kommt. In diesen (Briefen) findet sich allerdings manches Schwerverständliche, das die Unwissenden und Ungefestigten ebenso zu ihrem eigenen Verderben verdrehen, wie sie es auch bei den übrigen (heiligen) Schriften tun.
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 Weil ihr dies nun zum voraus wißt, Geliebte, so seid auf eurer Hut, daß ihr nicht durch die Verirrung der gewissenlosen Leute mit fortgerissen und aus eurem eigenen festen Glaubensstande hinausgeworfen werdet!
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 Wachst vielmehr in der Gnade und Erkenntnis unsers Herrn und Erretters Jesus Christus! Ihm gebührt die Herrlichkeit sowohl jetzt als auch für den Tag der Ewigkeit! (aiōn g165)
[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 Great Flood
