The Coming Judgment (Genesis 7:1–24; Jude 1:17–23)
1 UST Fellow believers whom I love, this{ letter} that I am now writing to you is the second letter{ that I have written to you}.{ I have written} both{ of these letters to you} to remind you of the things that your sincere minds already know. BSB BSB: Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
2 UST { I have written these letters} in order to remind you of the prophecies that the holy prophets spoke a long time ago.{ I also want you} to remember what the one who rules over us and saves us has commanded you through the teaching of the apostles{ whom we sent to} you. BSB BSB: by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3 UST It is important for you to understand that people who mock will come and mock{ the return of Jesus} during the time shortly before Jesus returns.{ Those people} will do whatever they want to do. BSB BSB: Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 UST { These mockers} will say,“Jesus’ promise to return is not true!{ We know this} because since Israel’ s ancestors died, everything has remained the same. It has been the same way since God created everything!” 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 UST { They will say this} because they deliberately ignore that God caused the heavens to exist a long time ago by commanding it to be so, and he caused the earth to come out from water and up through water{ by commanding it to be so}. 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 UST And God, by his command and by water, destroyed the world that existed at that time.{ He did so} by flooding the earth with water. BSB BSB: through which the world of that time perished in the flood.
7 UST However, God, by the same command, has set apart the heavens and the earth that exist now for fire. God is keeping them for the time when he will judge and destroy people who act wickedly. 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 UST In contrast{ to what those mockers say}, the time when the Lord returns will come unexpectedly. At that time there will be a great roaring sound and the heavens will cease to exist. God will also destroy the basic elements of nature by fire. Then God will reveal the earth and everything that has been done in it. 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 UST Since God will destroy all these things{ I have just mentioned} in the way{ I have described}, you must certainly behave in a holy manner and do what pleases God. 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 UST { Do these things} while expecting and trying to speed up the time of Jesus’ return. On account of that day, God will destroy the heavens with fire and melt the basic elements of nature with 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 UST { Although all those events will happen,} we are expecting the new heavens and new earth that God has promised to create. Everyone will be righteous in that new universe. 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 UST Because this is true, fellow believers whom I love, while you are waiting for these things{ to happen}, do your best to make sure that Jesus will see that you are not living sinfully{ and that you are} at peace{ with God}. BSB BSB: Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
16 UST In all the letters that Paul wrote, he also writes about these things{ that I have just mentioned}. In his letters are also some{ teachings} that are difficult to understand. People who lack knowledge and stability misinterpret those difficult teachings, as well as the rest of the scriptures.{ God} will punish them as a result. 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 UST Because all these things are true, fellow believers whom I love, and because you already know about these things, keep yourselves from ceasing to live faithfully because you let the wrong teaching of those who live like there is no law deceive you into sinning. 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 UST Rather, live in such a manner that you experience more and more of the kind acts of the one who rules over us and saves us, Jesus the Messiah. And live in such a manner that you know more and more about him. I pray that everyone will glorify Jesus both at this time and forever. May this truly be so! 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.