2 Peter · Chapter 3
2 Peter 3
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
The Coming Judgment
(Genesis 7:1–24; Jude 1:17–23)
1Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
2by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.*
4“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”
5But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6through which the world of that time perished in the flood.*
7And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
The Day of the Lord
(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)
8Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.*
9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.*
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
12as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
13But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Final Exhortations
14Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.*
15Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
16He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.*
17Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.*
Source notes
- 3:3 See Jude 1:18. Read Jude 1:18
- 3:6 NA through whom
- 3:8 See Psalms 90:4. Read Psalms 90:4
- 3:10 Or dissolved; also in verses 11 and 12. Or will not be found. BYZ and TR will be burned up; SBL, NE, and WH will be found, i.e., will be unable to hide.
- 3:14 Or to be found by Him in peace, without spot and without blemish.
- 3:16 Or in all the letters NA will distort
- 3:18 NE, WH, and NA do not include Amen.
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Psalms 90:4For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.
Psalms 24:4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
Psalms 73:1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
Proverbs 1:22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
Proverbs 3:34He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 14:6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
Isaiah 5:19to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”
Isaiah 28:14Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 29:20For the ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who look for evil will be cut down—
Hosea 7:5The princes are inflamed with wine on the day of our king; so he joins hands with those who mock him.
Genesis 19:14So Lot went out and spoke to the sons-in-law who were pledged in marriage to his daughters. “Get up,” he said. “Get out of this place, for the LORD is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
Ecclesiastes 1:9What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:11When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.