2 Peter 3:1–10

THE DAY OF THE LORD

3Dear friends, this is now the second letter^x I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere^y understanding by way of reminder, ²so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. ³Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days^z scoffing and following their own evil desires, ⁴saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised?^aa Ever since our ancestors fell asleep,^ab all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” ⁵They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God^ac the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.^{ad 6}Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded.^{ae 7}By the same word,^af the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment^ag and destruction of the ungodly.

⁸Dear 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 any^aj to perish^ak but all to come to repentance.^al

¹⁰But the day of the Lord^am will come like a thief;^Dan on that day the heavens will pass away^ao with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved,^ap and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.^EF