2 Peter 3:1–9

The Day of the Lord

3Dear friends, this is now the second letter ^dI have written to you; in both letters, I want to develop a genuine ^eunderstanding with a reminder, ²so that you can remember the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. ³First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days ^fto scoff, living according to their own desires, ⁴saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? ^gEver since the fathers fell asleep, ^hall things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” ⁵They willfully ignore this: Long ago the heavens and the earth were brought about from water and through water ⁱby the word of God. ^j6Through these waters the world of that time perished when it was flooded. ^k7But by the same word, ^lthe present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment ^mand destruction of ungodly men.

⁸Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. ⁿ⁹The Lord does not delay His promise, ^oas some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any ^pto perish ^qbut all to come to repentance. ^r