2 Peter 3:1-13
1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse
your sincere intention by reminding you 2 that 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. 3 First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers
will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4 and 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!” 5 They 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, 6 through which
the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. 7 But 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.
8 But 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. 9 The 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. 10 But 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.
11 Since 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, 12 waiting 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? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens
and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
