The Coming Judgment (Genesis 7:1–24; Jude 1:17–23)
1 UEB Beloved, this is now the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them they are reminders to stir up your sincere mind, BSB BSB: Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
2 UEB so that you will recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. BSB BSB: by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3 UEB Know this first, that mockers will come in the last days. They will mock and proceed according to their own desires. BSB BSB: Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 UEB They will say, "Where is the promise of his return? From when our fathers fell asleep, all things have stayed the same, since the beginning of creation." BSB BSB: “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.”
5 UEB They willfully forget that the heavens and the earth came to exist out of water and through water, long ago, by God's command, BSB BSB: But 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,
6 UEB and that through these things, the world of that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. BSB BSB: through which the world of that time perished in the flood.
7 UEB But now the heavens and the earth are reserved for fire by that same command. They are reserved for the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly people. BSB BSB: And 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)
10 UEB However, the day of the Lord will come as a thief: The heavens will pass away with a loud noise. The elements will be burned with fire, and the earth and the deeds in it will be revealed. BSB BSB: But 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.
11 UEB Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? You should live holy and godly lives. BSB BSB: Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
12 UEB You should expect and hasten the coming of the day of God. On that day, the heavens will be destroyed by fire, and the elements will be melted in great heat. BSB BSB: as 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.
13 UEB But according to his promise, we are waiting for the new heavens and the new earth, where righteousness will dwell. BSB BSB: But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Final Exhortations 14 UEB Therefore, beloved, since you expect these things, do your best to be found spotless and blameless before him, in peace. BSB BSB: Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
16 UEB Paul speaks of these things in all his letters, in which there are things that are difficult to understand. Ignorant and unstable men distort these things, as they also do the other scriptures, to their own destruction. BSB BSB: He 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.
17 UEB Therefore, beloved, since you know about these things beforehand, guard yourselves so that you are not led astray by the deceit of lawless people and you lose your own faithfulness. BSB BSB: Therefore, 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.
18 UEB But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the glory be to him both now and forever. Amen! BSB BSB: But 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.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.