The Coming Day of the Lord

3 Dear friends, this is already the second letter I am writing to you, in both of which I am attempting to stir up your sincere mind by a reminder, 2 to remember the words proclaimed beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 above all knowing this, that in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing, following according to their own desires 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since[fn] the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued just as they have been from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when[fn] they maintain this, it escapes their notice that the heavens existed long ago and the earth held together out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 by means of which things the world that existed at that time was destroyed by[fn] being inundated with water. 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.

8 Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that one day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. 9 The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he[fn] does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a rushing noise, and the celestial bodies will be destroyed by[fn] being burned up, and the earth and the deeds done on it will be disclosed. 11 Because[fn] all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of people must you be in holy behavior and godliness, 12 while[fn] waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by[fn] being burned up and the celestial bodies will melt as they[fn] are consumed by heat! 13 But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.