1. Loved ones, this is now the second letter that I am writing to you. In both I am trying to stir you up by way of a reminder to wholesome thinking—
2. to remember the words previously proclaimed by the holy prophets and the commandment of our Lord and Savior through your emissaries.
3. First of all, understand that in the last days, scoffers will come scoffing, following after their own desires
4. and saying, “Where is this promise of His coming? Ever since the fathers died, everything goes on just as it has from the beginning of creation.”
5. For in holding to this idea, it escapes their notice that the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God.
6. Through these, the world of that time was destroyed by being flooded with water.
7. But by the same word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire—kept until the Day of Judgment and the destruction of ungodly people.
8. But don’t forget this one thing, loved ones, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
9. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.