| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Dear friends, this is now the second of two letters I am writing to you, in which I have been trying to stimulate your pure minds by reminding you | 1Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder: |
| 2to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the commandment of our Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. | 2I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. |
| 3First of all you must understand this: In the last days mockers will come and, following their own desires, will ridicule us | 3Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges |
| 4by saying, "What happened to the Messiah's promise to return? Ever since our ancestors died, everything continues as it did from the beginning of creation." | 4and saying, "Where is his promised return? For ever since our ancestors died, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation." |
| 5But they deliberately ignore the fact that long ago the heavens existed and the earth was formed by God's word out of water and with water, | 5For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water. |
| 6by which the world at that time was deluged with water and destroyed. | 6Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. |
| 7Now by that same word, the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire and are being kept for the day when ungodly people will be judged and destroyed. | 7But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. |
| 8Don't forget this fact, dear friends: With the Lord a single day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a single day. | 8Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. |
| 9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent. | 9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. |
| 10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will disappear with a roaring sound, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be exposed. | 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare. |
| 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, think of the kind of holy and godly people you ought to be | 11Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness, |
| 12as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved and the elements will melt with fire. | 12while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God? Because of this day, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze! |
| 13But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. | 13But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides. |
| 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to have the Lord find you at peace and without spot or fault. | 14Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence. |
| 15Think of our Lord's patience as facilitating salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. | 15And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, |
| 16He speaks about this subject in all his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, leading to their own destruction, as they do the rest of the Scriptures. | 16speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. |
| 17And so, dear friends, since you already know these things, continuously be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of lawless people. Otherwise, you may fall from your secure position. | 17Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. |
| 18Instead, continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Messiah. Glory belongs to him both now and on that eternal day! Amen. | 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day. |
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