7 By the same word,af the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgmentag and destruction of the ungodly.

8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.ah 9 The Lord does not delay his promise,ai as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting anyaj to perishak but all to come to repentance.al

10 But the day of the Lordam will come like a thief;I,an on that day the heavens will pass awayao with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved,ap and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.J,K 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming.L,aq Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. 13 But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth,a where righteousness dwells.b

CONCLUSION

14 Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.c 15 Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.d 16 He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction,e as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard,f so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledgeg of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.A,h