 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in
[both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
 3:2  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken
before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the
apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last
days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were]
from the beginning of the creation.
 3:5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word
of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of
the water and in the water:
 3:6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with
water, perished:
 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same
word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one
day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day.
 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great
noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
 3:11  [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all]
holy conversation and godliness,
 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of
God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,
be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot,
and blameless.
 3:15  And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is]
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to
the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
 3:16  As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these
things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which
they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also
the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things]
before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of
the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
 3:18  But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for
ever. Amen.
