Young's Literal Translation YLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 This, now, beloved, a second letter to you I write, in both which I stir up your pure mind in reminding [you],
1
My dear friends, this is now the second time I've written to you, both letters reminders to hold your minds in a state of undistracted attention.
2 to be mindful of the sayings said before by the holy prophets, and of the command of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour,
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Keep in mind what the holy prophets said, and the command of our Master and Savior that was passed on by your apostles.
3 this first knowing, that there shall come in the latter end of the days scoffers, according to their own desires going on,
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First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings,
4 and saying, `Where is the promise of his presence? for since the fathers did fall asleep, all things so remain from the beginning of the creation;'
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they'll mock, "So what's happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything's going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing's changed."
5 for this is unobserved by them willingly, that the heavens were of old, and the earth out of water and through water standing together by the word of God,
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They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God's word.
6 through which the then world, by water having been deluged, was destroyed;
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Then God's word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the world.
7 and the present heavens and the earth, by the same word are treasured, for fire being kept to a day of judgment and destruction of the impious men.
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The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics.
8 And this one thing let not be unobserved by you, beloved, that one day with the Lord [is] as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day;
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Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.
9 the Lord is not slow in regard to the promise, as certain count slowness, but is long-suffering to us, not counselling any to be lost but all to pass on to reformation,
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God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.
10 and it will come -- the day of the Lord -- as a thief in the night, in which the heavens with a rushing noise will pass away, and the elements with burning heat be dissolved, and earth and the works in it shall be burnt up.
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But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.
11 All these, then, being dissolved, what kind of persons doth it behove you to be in holy behaviours and pious acts?
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Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?
12 waiting for and hasting to the presence of the day of God, by which the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements with burning heat shall melt;
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Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day -
13 and for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise we do wait, in which righteousness doth dwell;
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but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
14 wherefore, beloved, these things waiting for, be diligent, spotless and unblameable, by Him to be found in peace,
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So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace.
15 and the long-suffering of our Lord count ye salvation, according as also our beloved brother Paul -- according to the wisdom given to him -- did write to you,
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Interpret our Master's patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters,
16 as also in all the epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, among which things are certain hard to be understood, which the untaught and unstable do wrest, as also the other Writings, unto their own destruction.
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refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don't know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.
17 Ye, then, beloved, knowing before, take heed, lest, together with the error of the impious being led away, ye may fall from your own stedfastness,
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But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers.
18 and increase ye in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; to him [is] the glory both now, and to the day of the age! Amen.
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Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.