| New International Version | NET 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. | 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: |
| 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. | 2I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the 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. | 3Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. | 6Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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; 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. |
| 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 all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives 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. | 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! |
| 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. | 13But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides. |
| 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, 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. |
| 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. | 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, |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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, 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. |
| 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 honor both now and on that eternal day. |
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