2 Peter 3:3-13

3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days some people will appear whose lives are controlled by their own lusts. They will make fun of you 1
4 and will ask, "He promised to come, didn't he? Where is he? Our ancestors have already died, but everything is still the same as it was since the creation of the world!"
5 They purposely ignore the fact that long ago God gave a command, and the heavens and earth were created. The earth was formed out of water and by water, 2
6 and it was also by water, the water of the flood, that the old world was destroyed. 3
7 But the heavens and the earth that now exist are being preserved by the same command of God, in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the day when godless people will be judged and destroyed.
8 But do not forget one thing, my dear friends! There is no difference in the Lord's sight between one day and a thousand years; to him the two are the same. 4
9 The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.
10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish. 5
11 Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God,
12 as you wait for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon - the Day when the heavens will burn up and be destroyed, and the heavenly bodies will be melted by the heat.
13 But we wait for what God has promised: new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will be at home. 6

Images for 2 Peter 3:3-13

Cross References 6

  • 1. 3.3 Jude 18.
  • 2. 3.5Genesis 1.6-9.
  • 3. 3.6Genesis 7.11.
  • 4. 3.8Psalms 90.4.
  • 5. 3.10Matthew 24.43;Luke 12.39;1 Thessalonians 5.2;Revelation 16.15.
  • 6. 3.13Isaiah 65.17; 66.22;Revelation 21.1.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. vanish; [some manuscripts have] be found; [others have] be burned up; [one has] be found destroyed.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.