2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3

The Promise of the Lord’s Coming

1This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you

2that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles.

3First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts[#1 Tim 4.1; 2 Pet 2.10; Jude 18]

4and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!”[#Jer 17.15; Ezek 12.22; Mt 10.6; 24.48; Acts 7.60; #3.4 Gk our fathers fell asleep]

5They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water,[#Gen 1.6, 9; Ps 24.2; Col 1.17; Heb 11.3]

6through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished.[#Gen 7.21, 22]

7But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.[#v 10; 1 Cor 3.13; 2 Thess 1.7]

8But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.[#Ps 90.4]

9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.[#Isa 30.18; Rom 2.4; Heb 10.37; 1 Pet 3.20; #3.9 Other ancient authorities read on your account]

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.[#Ps 50.3; Isa 34.4; Mt 24.35, 43; 1 Cor 1.7; 1 Thess 5.2; Titus 2.13; Rev 21.1, 12; #3.10 Other ancient authorities read will not be found or will be burned up]

11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,

12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and destroyed and the elements will melt with fire?[#3.12 Or earnestly desiring]

13But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.[#Isa 65.17; Rev 21.1]

Final Exhortation and Doxology

14Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish,[#1 Cor 15.58; Phil 2.15; 2 Pet 1.10]

15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,[#1 Cor 3.10; Eph 3.3]

16speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.[#3.16 Other ancient authorities read will twist]

17You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability.[#1 Cor 10.12; 2 Pet 2.18; Rev 2.5]

18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.[#3.18 Other ancient authorities lack Amen]

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Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ