Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Beloved, Remember That People Will Come Mocking Christ’s Future Coming

3 Beloved, I am now writing this second letter to you, in which letters I am arousing your pure mind with a reminder ² to remember the words having been spoken-beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior from your apostles, ³ knowing this first— that mockers will come with mocking in the last days, proceeding in accordance with their own desires, ⁴ and saying “Where is the promise^[a] of His coming? For from which day the fathers^[b] fell-asleep, everything is continuing in-this-manner^[c] from the beginning of creation”.

But God Has Destroyed The Ungodly Before, And He Will Do So Again

⁵ For this escapes-notice-of those who are willing^[d]— that by the word of God there were heavens from-long-ago, and an earth having existence out of water and by water, ⁶ through which^[e] the world at that time was destroyed^[f], having been flooded with water. ⁷ And by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored-up for fire, being reserved for the day of the judgment and destruction of ungodly people.

He Is Being Patient Now, But The Day of Destruction Will Come Like a Thief

⁸ But do not let this one thing be escaping your notice, beloved— that one day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. ⁹ The Lord is not being slow about^[g] the promise as some regard slowness, but He is being patient toward you, not wishing^[h] any to perish, but all to make-room^[i] for repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief— during which the heavens will pass-away with-a-roar, and the elements will be destroyed while burning, and the earth and the works in it will be found^[j].