¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience^(A) means salvation,^(B) just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.^(C)

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,^(A) as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient^(B) with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.^(C)

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.^(D) The heavens will disappear with a roar;^(E) the elements will be destroyed by fire,^(F) and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.^[a](G)

⁷ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out^(A) to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?

²² When the Lord could no longer endure^(A) your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became a curse^(B) and a desolate waste^(C) without inhabitants, as it is today.^(D)

¹¹ When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. ¹² Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better^(A) with those who fear God,^(B) who are reverent before him.^(C)

Psalm 83^[a]

A song. A psalm of Asaph.