1 This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you;
and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you; 2 that
you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy
prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
3 knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking
after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming?
For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they
were from the beginning of the creation." 5 For this they willfully
forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water
and amid water, by the word of God; 6 by which means the world that then
was, being overflowed with water, perished. 7 But the heavens that now
are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being
reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But
don't forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a
thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow
concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not
wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the
heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved
with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned
up. 11 Therefore since all these things are thus to be destroyed, what
manner of persons ought you to be in holy living and godliness,
12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by
reason of which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements
will melt with fervent heat? 13 But, according to his promise, we look for
new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.
14 Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be
diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his
sight. 15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our
beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to
you; 16 as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things.
In those are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and
unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own
destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing these things
beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked,
you fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now
and forever. Amen.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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