The Day of the Lord

1Dear friends, this is now the second lettera I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincereb understanding by way of reminder, 2so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. 3Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last daysa scoffing and following their own evil desires, 4saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised?a Ever since our ancestors fell asleep,b all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” 5They deliberately overlook this: By the word of Goda the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.b 6Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded.a 7By the same word,a the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgmentb and destruction of the ungodly.

8Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.a 9The Lord does not delay his promise,a as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting anyb to perishc but all to come to repentance.d

10But the day of the Lorda will come like a thief;a b on that day the heavens will pass awayc with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved,d and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.B C 11Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming.a a Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. 13But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth,a where righteousness dwells.b

Conclusion

14Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.a 15Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.a 16He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction,a as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.

17Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard,a so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledgea of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.a b