1 This is now the ^ssecond letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am ^tstirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 ^uthat you should remember the ^vpredictions ^wof the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, ^xthat scoffers will come ^yin the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, ^z“Where is the promise of his ^acoming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, ^bthat the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water ^cby the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was ^ddeluged with water and ^eperished. 7 But by the same word ^fthe heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, ^gand a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is ^hpatient toward you,^{1 i}not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.