The Second of Peter
3 Beloved ones, this is now the second letter I am writing YOU, in which, as in my first one,+ I am arousing YOUR clear thinking faculties* by way of a reminder,+ 2 that YOU should remember the sayings previously spoken by the holy prophets+ and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through YOUR apostles.+ 3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days+ there will come ridiculers*+ with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires+ 4 and saying:+ “Where is this promised presence* of his?+ Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”+
5 For, according to their wish, this fact escapes their notice, that there were heavens+ from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water+ and in the midst of water+ by the word of God; 6 and by those [means] the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.+ 7 But by the same word the heavens+ and the earth+ that are now are stored up for fire+ and are being reserved to the day of judgment+ and of destruction of the ungodly men.+
8 However, let this one fact not be escaping YOUR notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah* as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.+ 9 Jehovah* is not slow respecting his promise,+ as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with YOU because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.*+ 10 Yet Jehovah’s* day+ will come as a thief,+ in which the heavens will pass away+ with a hissing noise,+ but the elements* being intensely hot will be dissolved,*+ and earth+ and the works in it will be discovered.*+
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought YOU to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, 12 awaiting+ and keeping close in mind* the presence* of the day of Jehovah,*+ through which [the] heavens being on fire will be dissolved+ and [the] elements being intensely hot will melt! 13 But there are new heavens+ and a new earth+ that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.+
14 Hence, beloved ones, since YOU are awaiting these things, do YOUR utmost to be found finally by him spotless+ and unblemished and in peace.+ 15 Furthermore, consider the patience* of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom+ given him also wrote YOU,+ 16 speaking about these things as he does also in all [his] letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught* and unsteady are twisting,* as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures,+ to their own destruction.
17 YOU, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge,+ be on YOUR guard that YOU may not be led away with them by the error of the law-defying people* and fall from YOUR own steadfastness.+ 18 No, but go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.+ To him [be] the glory both now and to the day of eternity.+