Scoffers in the Last Days
BELOVED, I now write to you this second letter; in which, I stir up your sincere minds by way of reminder;
2 That you remember the warnings spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, and our commandment, the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first: that there will come scoffers in the last days, walking after their own desires;
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 are willingly ignorant: That by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth came out of the water and stands by water:
6 By means of which, the world that was then, being overflowed with water, perished:
Judgement by Fire
7 ¶ And now, the heavens and the earth by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire until the day of judgment, and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing: That one day with the Lord, is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; rather is patient toward us, not wanting anyone to perish; rather, that all should come to repentance.
The Day of the Lord
10 ¶ And the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall loose with intense heat; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then, that all these things will be dissolved, what manner of people ought you be with regards to holy conduct and godliness?
12 Look for, and hurry along the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
13 Now, according to his promise, wait for the new heavens and new earth, in which dwells righteousness.
Steadfast Until the End
14 ¶ Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, labour that you be found in peace by him; without spot and blameless.
15 And account the patience of our Lord as salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul has written to you, according to the wisdom given to him.
16 As, also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which some things are hard to understand, which those that are unlearned and unstable explain falsely, as they also do the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you already know these things: Beware lest you are led away with the deceit of the lawless, falling from your own steadfastness.
18 Rather, grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now, and in that day of this age. Amen.