3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in [both]
which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before
by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles
of the Lord and Savior:
3:3 Knowing this first, that there will come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
3:4 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 the creation.
3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of
God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the
water and in the water:
3:6 By which the world that then was, being overflowed with
water, perished:
3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same
word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one
day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day.
3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
3:10 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 melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
works that are therein will be burned up.
3:11 [Seeing] then [that] all these things will be dissolved,
what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy
deportment and godliness,
3:12 Looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God, in
which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat?
3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness.
3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be
diligent that ye may be found by him in peace, without spot,
and blameless.
3:15 And account [that] the long-suffering of our Lord [is]
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to
the wisdom given to him, hath written to you;
3:16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these
things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which
they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also
the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things]
before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of
the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever.
Amen.
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