2Pe 3 | BSB | STEP | Beloved, this [is] now [my] second letter to you. [Both] of [them] [are] reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking

2 Peter 3

The Coming Judgment

1 Beloved, this [is] now [my] second letter to you. [Both] of [them] [are] reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking 2 by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by [our] Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing [and] following their own evil desires. 4 “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “vvv Ever since [our] fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from [the] beginning of creation.” 5 [But] they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word [the] heavens existed and [the] earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which ^{▼▼NA through whom} the world of that time perished in the flood. 7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, kept for [the] day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

The Day of the Lord

8 Beloved, {do} not {let} [this] one thing escape your notice: With [the] Lord a day [is] like a thousand years, and a thousand years [are] like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow [to fulfill ] [His] promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But [the] day of [the] Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, [the] elements will be destroyed ^{▼▼Literal will be dissolved; also in verses 11 and 12.} by fire, and [the] earth and [its] works will be laid bare. ^{▼▼or will not be found. BYZ and TR will be burned up; SBL, NE, WH will be found, i.e. (will be unable to hide).} 11 [Since] everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of [people] ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness 12 as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when [the] heavens will be destroyed by fire and [the] elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with [God’s] promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Final Exhortations

14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace with Him, without spot [or] blemish. 15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience [brings] salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom [God] gave him. 16 [ He writes ] this way in all [his] letters, ^{▼▼Or in all the letters} speaking in them about [such matters] . Some [parts] of [his letters] are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable [people] distort, ^{▼▼NA will distort} as [they do] the rest of [the] Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, beloved, [since] you already know [these things] , be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless [and] fall from [your] secure standing. 18 But grow in [the] grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and to [the] day of eternity. Amen. ^{▼▼NE, WH, and NA do not include Amen.}