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Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you, in both of which I am stirring up your pure mind in putting you in remembrance
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to be mindful of the words having been spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,
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first knowing this, that in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing, following according to their own evil desires,
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and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For from the time that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
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For word-definition " data-lexid="331147">this word-definition " data-lexid="331148">is concealed from them willingly, that
word-definition " data-lexid="331151">heavens
word-definition " data-lexid="331152">existed
word-definition " data-lexid="331153">long ago and
the earth,
word-definition " data-lexid="331155">having been composed out of
word-definition " data-lexid="331156">water and through
word-definition " data-lexid="331156">water, by the
word of God,
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through which the world at that time perished, having been deluged with water.
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But by the same word now word-definition " data-lexid="331167">the heavens and the
word-definition " data-lexid="331168">earth exist,
word-definition " data-lexid="331169">having been stored up for fire,
word-definition " data-lexid="331171">being kept unto
word-definition " data-lexid="331172">
the day
word-definition " data-lexid="331173">of judgment and
word-definition " data-lexid="331174">destruction
word-definition symbolism" data-lexid="331175">of ungodly
men.
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But beloved, do not let this one thing be hidden from you, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
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The Lord does not delay the promise, as some esteem slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
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But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, and elements will be dissolved, burning with heat, and the earth and the works in it will not be found.
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All these things being dissolved in this way, what kind ought you to be? In holy conduct and godliness,
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expecting and hastening the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens will be dissolved, being set on fire, and the elements are melting, burning with heat.
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But according to His promise, we are awaiting new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
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Therefore, beloved, expecting these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and without blemish.
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And esteem the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom having been given to him,
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as also in all the letters, speaking in them concerning these things, among which some things are difficult to be understood, which the ignorant and unestablished distort to their own destruction, as also the other Scriptures.
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Therefore beloved, knowing this beforehand, you beware, lest you should fall from the own steadfastness, having been led away by the error of the lawless.
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But grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.