| 3:1 |
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you;
in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of
remembrance:
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| 3:2 |
That 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:
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| 3:3 |
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last
days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
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| 3:4 |
And 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.
|
| 3:5 |
For 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:
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| 3:6 |
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed
with water, perished:
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| 3:7 |
But 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.
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| 3:8 |
But, 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.
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| 3:9 |
The 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.
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| 3:10 |
But 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.
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| 3:11 |
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness,
|
| 3:12 |
Looking 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?
|
| 3:13 |
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for
new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness.
|
| 3:14 |
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such
things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,
without spot, and blameless.
|
| 3:15 |
And 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;
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| 3:16 |
As 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.
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| 3:17 |
Ye 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.
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| 3:18 |
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and
for ever. Amen.
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