主再来的应许
亲爱的，我现在写给你们的是第二封信。在这两封信里，我都提醒你们，激发你们真诚的心，
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2要你们记得圣先知预先所说的话和主—救主的命令，就是使徒所传给你们的。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 Saviour:
3第一要紧的，你们要知道，在末世必有好讥诮的人随从自己的私欲出来讥诮，Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4说：“他要来临的应许在哪里呢？因为从列祖长眠以来，万物与起初创造的时候仍是一样啊！”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.
5他们故意忘记这事，就是从太古凭神的话有了天，并由水而出和藉着水而成的地；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:
6藉着水，当时的世界被水淹没而消灭了。Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7但现在的天地还是凭着神的话存留，直留到不敬虔之人受审判遭沉沦的日子，用火焚烧。But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8亲爱的，有一件事你们不可忘记，就是：主看一日如千年，千年如一日。But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9主没有迟延他的应许，就如有人以为他是迟延，其实他是宽容你们，不愿一人沉沦，而是人人都来悔改。The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10但主的日子要像贼一样来到；那日，天必在轰然一声中消失，天体都要被烈火熔化，地和地上的万物都要烧尽☛“烧尽”：有古卷是“暴露无遗”；另有古卷是“消灭”或“消失”。。But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11既然这一切都要如此消失，你们☛有古卷是“我们”。处世为人必须圣洁敬虔，Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12等候并催促神的日子来到。因为在那日，天要被火烧而消灭，天体都要被烈火熔化。Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13但照他的应许，我们等候新天新地，其中有正义常住。Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14所以，亲爱的，既然你们等候这些事，就要竭力使自己没有玷污，无可指责，在主前和睦；Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15并且要以我们主的容忍作为你们得救的机会，就如我们所亲爱的弟兄保罗，照着所赐给他的智慧写信给你们。And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16他一切的信上都谈到这事。信中有些难明白的，那无学问、不坚定的人加以曲解，如曲解别的经书一样，自取灭亡。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, unto their own destruction.
17所以，亲爱的，既然你们预先知道这事，就当防备，免得被恶人的错谬诱惑，从自己稳定的立场上坠落。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 stedfastness.
18你们倒要在我们的主和救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上有长进。愿荣耀归给他，从今直到永远之日。阿们！☛有古卷没有“阿们！”But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.