| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. | 1Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking |
| 2I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. | 2by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. |
| 3Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. | 3Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. |
| 4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." | 4“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.” |
| 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. | 5But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water, |
| 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. | 6through which the world of that time perished in the flood. |
| 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. | 7And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. |
| 8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. | 8Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. |
| 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. | 9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. |
| 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. | 10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. |
| 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives | 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness |
| 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. | 12as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. |
| 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. | 13But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. |
| 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. | 14Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight. |
| 15Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. | 15Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. |
| 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. | 16He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. |
| 17Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. | 17Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. |
| 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. | 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. |
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