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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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:
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts, |
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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. |
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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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6: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished: |
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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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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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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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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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11: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
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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? |
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13: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. |
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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. |
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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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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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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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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. |