This second
epistle
, beloved
, I
now
write
unto you
; in
both which
I stir up
your
pure
minds
by way
of remembrance
:
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
:
Knowing this
first
, that
there shall come
in
the last
days
scoffers
, walking
after
their
own
lusts
,
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
.
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
:
Whereby the world
that then was
, being overflowed
with water
, perished
:
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
.
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
.
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
.
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
.
Seeing then that all
these things
shall be dissolved
, what manner
of persons ought
ye
to be
in
all holy
conversation
and
godliness
,
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
?
Nevertheless we
, according to
his
promise
, look for
new
heavens
and
a new
earth
, wherein
dwelleth
righteousness
.
Wherefore, beloved
, seeing that ye look for
such things
, be diligent
that ye may be found
of him
in
peace
, without spot
, and
blameless
.
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
;
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
.
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
.
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
.