Aa
The Day of the Lord
1Dear friends, this is now the second letter3:1 1Pt 1:1 I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere3:1 Php 1:10 understanding by way of reminder,
2so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles.
3Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days3:3 2Tm 3:1; Heb 1:2; Jms 5:3; 1Pt 1:20 scoffing and following their own evil desires,
4saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised?3:4 1Th 2:19; 2Pt 3:12 Ever since our ancestors fell asleep,3:4 Ac 7:60 all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.”
5They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God3:5 Gn 1:3–30; Ps 148:5; Jn 1:1–3; Heb 4:12; 11:3 the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.3:5 Ps 24:1–2; 33:6–7; 136:5–6; Pr 8:24–29
6Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded.3:6 2Pt 2:5
7By the same word,3:7 Is 66:15–16; Ezk 38:22; Am 7:4; Zph 1:18; Mal 4:1 the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment3:7 Php 1:6; 2Th 1:5; 1Jn 4:17 and destruction of the ungodly.
8Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.3:8 Ps 90:4
9The Lord does not delay his promise,3:9 Hab 2:3 as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any3:9 Ti 2:11 to perish3:9 Ezk 18:23,32; 33:11; 1Tm 2:4 but all to come to repentance.3:9 Jl 2:12–13; Jnh 3:10; 4:2; Ac 17:31; Rm 2:4
10But the day of the Lord3:10 Php 1:6 will come like a thief;3:10 Other mss add in the night3:10 Mt 24:43; Lk 12:39; 1Th 5:2 on that day the heavens will pass away3:10 Mt 5:18; 24:35; Rv 21:1 with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved,3:10 Is 24:19; Mc 1:4 and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.3:10 Other mss read will be burned up3:10 Some Syriac and Coptic mss read will not be found
11Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness
12as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming.3:12 Or and speed the coming3:12 Lk 12:36; 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10; Ti 2:13; Jd 21 Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat.
13But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth,3:13 Is 65:17; 66:22; Mt 19:28; Rm 8:21; Rv 21:1 where righteousness dwells.3:13 Is 32:16; Rm 14:17
Conclusion
14Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.3:14 Php 2:15; 1Th 5:23; 1Tm 6:14; Jms 1:27
15Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.3:15 Ac 9:17; 15:25; 2Pt 3:2
16He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction,3:16 Heb 5:11; 2Pt 2:14 as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.
17Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard,3:17 Lk 12:15; 2Tm 1:14; 4:15 so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position.
18But grow in the grace and knowledge3:18 2Pt 1:2 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.3:18 Other mss add Amen.3:18 Rm 11:36; 2Tm 4:18; Rv 1:6