THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I
rouse up your sincere mind by awakening your recollection (2)to
remember the words, that have been spoken aforetime by the holy
prophets, and the injunction of us the apostles of the Lord and
Saviour: (3)knowing this principally, that in the last of the days
there will come scoffers, walking after their own lewd passions, (4)and
saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for ever since the fathers
fell asleep, all things continue in the same state as from the
beginning of the creation. (5)For this they chuse to keep out of sight,
that by the word of God the heavens were created of old, and the earth
rising out of the water and subsisting amidst the water; (6)whence the
world then existing, being deluged by water, was destroyed; (7)but the
present heavens and earth by the same word are treasured up, reserved
for fire at the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
(8)But let not this particular be concealed from you, beloved, that one
day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one
day. (9)The Lord doth not delay the promise (as some count it delay);
but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should have space for repentance. (10)But the day of the
Lord will come as a thief by night; in which the heavens shall pass
away with a rushing noise, and the first principles of matter in flames
dissolve, and the earth and all the works upon it be burnt up.
(11)Seeing then that all these things must be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought we to be in a course of holy conduct and acts of piety,
(12)expecting and hastening towards the coming of God's day, at which
the heavens on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements in flames be
melted as wax? (13)But we expect according to his promise new heavens
and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousness. (14)Wherefore,
beloved, seeing ye are expecting these things, be diligent to be found
of him in peace, spotless and blameless. (15)And account the long
suffering of our Lord conducive to salvation; as our beloved brother
Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, hath written unto you;
(16)as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, of
which some are difficult to be understood, which the uninstructed and
the unstable torture, as indeed they do the rest of the scriptures unto
their own destruction. (17)Ye therefore, beloved, knowing this before,
be on your guard, that ye be not carried away with the delusion of
these lawless men, and fall from your own stedfastness. (18)But grow in
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To
him be glory now and unto the day of eternity. Amen.