1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both
which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
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:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
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.
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:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished:
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.
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.
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.
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.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and
godliness,
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?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
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.
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;
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.
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.
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.
Book 62 1 John
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