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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.
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