The Coming Judgment (Genesis 7:1–24; Jude 1:17–23)
1 WBS This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: BSB BSB: Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
2 WBS That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: BSB BSB: by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3 WBS Knowing this first, that there will come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, BSB BSB: Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 WBS And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the 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 WBS For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 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 WBS By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: BSB BSB: through which the world of that time perished in the flood.
7 WBS But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 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 WBS But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein will be burned up. 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 WBS Seeing then that all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy deportment and godliness,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 WBS Looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent 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 WBS Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness. 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 WBS Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless. BSB BSB: Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
16 WBS As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also 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 WBS Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 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 WBS But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. 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.