1 ¶ Beloved, this is the second letter I have now written to you; in which I stir up your sincere minds with a reminder:

2 That you may remember the words that were spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of your apostles from the Lord and Savior:

3 ¶ Knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have since the beginning of creation.

5 For they are willingly ignorant of this, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then existed, being covered with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth, that now exist, have by the same word been reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8 ¶ But do not forget this one thing, beloved, with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with intense heat, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up.

11 ¶ Since all these things will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

12 Eagerly looking for the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless, in keeping with his promise, we look for a new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, make every effort to be found by him in peace, without spot, or blemish.

15 And view the Lord’s patience as an opportunity for salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him;

16 As he speaks of these things in all of his letters; in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which those who are unlearned and unstable twist, as they do the other scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 Therefore, beloved, knowing this in advance, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.