The Coming Judgment
(Genesis 7:1–24; Jude 1:17–23)

1Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you⁺ in which I am stirring up your⁺ pure mind in a reminder 2to remember the words having been spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior by your⁺ apostles, 3first knowing this, that in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing,† going according to their own passions† 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For from which time the fathers fell asleep, all things continue in this way from the beginning of creation.”

5For this is hidden from them willingly, that the heavens were long ago, and the earth, out of water and through water having been composed by the word of God, 6through which† the world at that time was destroyed, having been deluged with water. 7But by the same word† the present heavens and the earth are having been stored up for fire, being kept unto the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

The Day of the Lord
(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)

8But let this one thing not be hidden from you⁺, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.† 9The Lord is not slow in the promise, as some esteem slowness, but is patient toward you⁺,† not wishing for any to perish, but all to receive a place for repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief,† in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing sound, and the elements will be dissolved,† burning with heat, and the earth and the works in it will not be found.†

11All these things being dissolved in this way,† what kind is it necessary for you⁺ to be? It is in holy conduct and godliness, 12anticipating and hastening the coming of the day of God, by which the heavens will be dissolved, being set on fire, and the elements melt, burning with heat. 13But according to His promise, we anticipate a new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Final Exhortations

14Therefore, beloved, anticipating these things, be diligent, without spot and without blemish, to be found by Him in peace.†

15And esteem the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom having been given to him, wrote to you⁺, 16as also in all the letters, speaking in them concerning these things, in which some things are difficult to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable distort,† as also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17You⁺, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on guard, lest, having been led away by the error of the lawless, you⁺ should fall from your own steadfastness. 18But grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

Amen.†

Footnotes:

3 BYZ and TR do not include with scoffing
3 See Jude 1:18.
6 NA through whom
7 BYZ and Stephanus TR by His word
8 See Psalm 90:4.
9 BYZ and TR toward us
10 BYZ and TR include in the night.
10 Or destroyed; also in verses 11 and 12.
10 BYZ and TR will be burned up; SBL, NE, and WH will be found, i.e., will be unable to hide.
11 BYZ and TR destroyed in this way
14 Or to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
16 NA28 will distort
18 NE, WH, and NA28 do not include Amen.