1Dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you. In both of them I have tried to stir up your pure minds by reminding you of things.
2I want you to remember the words spoken long ago by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour given through us, his apostles.
3First of all, know this: in the last days men who mock will come, following their own evil desires.
4They will say, "Where is the promise that he is coming? Ever since the fathers fell asleep, everything goes on just as it has from the beginning of creation."
5They choose not to know this: that long ago, by the word of God, the heavens were made, and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
6By these things the world of that time was flooded with water and destroyed.
7But the heavens and the earth that exist now are kept by that same word. They are being saved for fire, for the day of judgment and the destruction of ungodly people.
8But dear friends, do not forget this one thing: with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people count slowness. He is patient with us. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Then the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with burning heat. The earth also, and everything done on it, will be burned up.
11Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You should live holy and godly lives,
12as you look for the coming of the day of God and hurry it on. On that day the heavens will be set on fire and destroyed, and the elements will melt with burning heat.
13But we, following his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness lives.
14So then, dear friends, since you look for such things, work hard to be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15Remember that the patience of our Lord means salvation. Our dear brother Paul also wrote to you about this, with the wisdom God gave him.
16He speaks of these things in all his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand. People who are untaught and unsteady twist them, as they also twist the other scriptures, and so destroy themselves.
17So then, dear friends, since you know these things beforehand, be careful. Do not be led away by the error of wicked people and fall from your own firm standing.
18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.