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Chapter 3
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1
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This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you;
in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: |
2
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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: |
3
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Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last
days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, |
4
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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. |
5
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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: |
6
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Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with
water, perished: |
7
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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. |
8
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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. |
9
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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. |
10
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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. |
11
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Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation
and godliness, |
12
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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? |
13
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Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for
new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. |
14
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Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,
be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without
spot, and blameless. |
15
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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; |
16
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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. |
17
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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. |
18
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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. |
