2 Peter, Chapter 3

1. This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:    2. That you 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. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,    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.    5. For this they deliberately 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:    6. By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:    7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.    8. But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, 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 men count slowness; but is longsuffering towards us, not desiring 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 shall pass away with a loud noise, and the elements shall melt with intense heat, the earth also and the works that are upon it shall be burned up.    11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conduct and godliness,    12. Looking for and hastening to the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?    13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.    14. Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless.    15. And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you;    16. As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood which those who are unlearned and unstable twist, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.    17. You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.    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.