| NET Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder: | 1This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, |
| 2I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. | 2that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, |
| 3Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges | 3knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. |
| 4and saying, "Where is his promised return? For ever since our ancestors died, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation." | 4They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” |
| 5For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water. | 5For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, |
| 6Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. | 6and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. |
| 7But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. | 7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. |
| 8Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. | 8But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. |
| 9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. | 9The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. |
| 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare. | 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. |
| 11Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness, | 11Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, |
| 12while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God? Because of this day, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze! | 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! |
| 13But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides. | 13But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. |
| 14Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence. | 14Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. |
| 15And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, | 15And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, |
| 16speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. | 16as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. |
| 17Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. | 17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. |
| 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day. | 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. |
|
