2 Peter 3

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

1Dear friends, this is my second letter to you. In both letters I want to wake up your good thinking. I do it by helping you remember.

2That ye 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:

2Remember the words the holy prophets spoke long ago. Prophets were people who told others what God said. Remember also the command of our Lord and Savior. He gave that command through his apostles, the men he sent out to teach.

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

3First of all, know this. In the last days, some people will come and make fun of you. They will live only for what they want.

4And 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.

4They will say, "He promised to come back. So where is he? Our fathers died, and nothing has changed. Everything goes on as it has since the world began."

Note"Fell asleep" was a gentle way of saying "died."

5For 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:

5They choose to forget something on purpose. Long ago God spoke, and the heavens were there. The earth was formed out of water and by water.

6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

6Then water covered the world of that time. Everything in it was destroyed.

7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

7The heavens and earth we have now are kept by that same word of God. They are being saved for fire. That fire comes on the day when God judges. On that day he destroys people who turn away from him.

8But, 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.

8Dear friends, do not miss this one thing. With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years. And a thousand years are like one day.

9The 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.

9The Lord is not slow to keep his promise, even if some people think he is. He is patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to turn back to him.

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief comes at night. The heavens will go away with a loud roar. Everything the world is made of will melt in great heat. The earth and all the work done on it will be burned up.

Note"Like a thief" means it will come suddenly, when no one is expecting it.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

11All these things will be taken apart and destroyed. So think about what kind of people you should be. Live holy lives that please God.

NoteThe old word "conversation" here means the way a person lives, not talking.

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

12Wait for the day of God, and hurry it along. On that day the heavens will burn and be destroyed. Everything the world is made of will melt in great heat.

13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

13But God made us a promise. We are waiting for new heavens and a new earth. There, everything will be right and good.

14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

14So, dear friends, you are waiting for these things. Do your best to be at peace when he finds you. Have no stain and nothing wrong in your life.

15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

15Remember this too. Our Lord is patient so that people can be saved. Our dear brother Paul wrote the same thing to you. God gave him the wisdom to say it.

16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

16Paul says these things in all his letters. Some parts are hard to understand. People who do not know better twist his words. They twist the rest of the Scriptures the same way. Doing that ruins them.

17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

17Dear friends, you already know these things. So watch out. Do not be pulled away by people who break God's rules. Do not lose your firm footing.

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

18Instead, keep growing in God's kindness to you. Keep learning to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May he be honored now and forever. Amen.