1Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking[ † ]2 Peter 1:13 2by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.[ † ]2 Peter 1:21Jude 17
3Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.[ † ]2 Peter 2:10 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.”[ † ]Genesis 6:1-7
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,[ † ]Genesis 1:6-9Hebrews 11:3Psalms 24:2Psalms 136:6 6through which the world of that time perished in the flood.[ † ]Genesis 7:11-12, 21-23Matthew 24:37-39Luke 17:26-272 Peter 2:5 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.[ † ]2 Peter 3:10-12Matthew 25:412 Thessalonians 1:8
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.[ † ]Psalms 90:4 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.[ † ]Habakkuk 2:3Romans 13:11Hebrews 10:37Psalms 86:15Isaiah 30:18Ezekiel 33:11Matthew 20:28Romans 2:4
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.[ † ]Matthew 24:42-43Luke 12:391 Thessalonians 5:2Revelation 3:3Revelation 16:15Genesis 1:6-8Psalms 102:25-26Isaiah 51:6Revelation 20:11
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[ † ]1 Peter 1:15 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.[ † ]1 Corinthians 1:7-8Titus 2:13-15Psalms 50:3Isaiah 24:19Isaiah 34:4Micah 1:4 13But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.[ † ]Isaiah 65:17Isaiah 66:22Romans 8:21Revelation 21:1
14Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.[ † ]1 Corinthians 1:81 Corinthians 15:581 Thessalonians 3:12-131 Thessalonians 5:23
15Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.[ † ]Psalms 86:15Romans 2:41 Peter 3:20 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.[ † ]Romans 8:191 Corinthians 15:241 Thessalonians 4:152 Thessalonians 1:102 Timothy 3:16
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.[ † ]Mark 13:23Ephesians 4:14
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.[ † ]Ephesians 4:15Romans 11:362 Timothy 4:18Revelation 1:6