¹ This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: ² That you 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 Knowing this first, that there will come in the last days scoffers, 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 were from the beginning of the creation. 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: ⁶ Through which+ the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: ⁷ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 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. 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. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are in it+ will be burned up. ¹¹ seeing then that all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons should you to be in all holy conversation and godliness, ¹² Looking for and hasting to 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 we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which+ dwells righteousness. ¹⁴ why, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. ¹⁵ And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you; ¹⁶ As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which those are unlearned and unstable distort, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. ¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware in case you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 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.