1 Beloved, this second epistle I now write to you, in which epistles I stir up your sincere mind to remembrance:

2 to be mindful of the words before spoken by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour.

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 from the time the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as at the beginning of the creation.

5 But this willfully escapes them, that, by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth subsisting from the water, and by water:

6 by which the world that then was, being deluged with water, perished.

7 But the present heavens and the earth, by the same word are treasured up, being kept for fire to a day of judgment, and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But this one thing, let it not escape you, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord does not delay his promise in the manner some account delaying; but he exercises long-suffering toward us, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to reformation.

10 However, as thief, the day of the Lord will come; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements burning shall be dissolved; and the earth, and the works that are upon it, shall be utterly burned.

11 Seeing, then, all these things shall be dissolved; -what sort of persons ought you to be, in holy behavior and godliness,

12 expecting and earnestly desiring, the coming of the day of God; in which the heavens being set on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements burning, shall be melted?

13 But we, according to his promise, expect new heavens, and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, expecting these things, diligently endeavor to be found of him spotless, and irreproachable, in peace.

15 And reckon the long-suffering of our Lord, to be for salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.

16 As, indeed, in all his epistles, speaking in them concerning these things: in which there are some things hard to be understood, which the untaught and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 Therefore, beloved, foreknowing these things, be on your guard; lest being also carried away by the deceit of the lawless, you fall from your own steadfastness.

18 But grow in favor, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.