1 | This
second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your
pure minds by way of remembrance: |
2 | That ye 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
Saviour: |
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 willingly 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
| Whereby 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 unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly
men. |
8 | But, beloved, be
not 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 slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing 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 the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are
therein shall be burned up. |
11
| Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, |
12 | Looking for and hasting unto the
coming of the day of God, wherein 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, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Isa 65:17,
66:22
|
14 | Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye
look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without
spot, and blameless. |
15 |
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our
beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written
unto you; |
16 | As also in
all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as
they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. |
17 | Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know
these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the
wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. |
18 | But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. |