1Dear friends, this is now the second letter3:1 1Pt 1:1 I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere3:1 Php 1:10 understanding by way of reminder,

2so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles.

3Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days3:3 2Tm 3:1; Heb 1:2; Jms 5:3; 1Pt 1:20 scoffing and following their own evil desires,

4saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised?3:4 1Th 2:19; 2Pt 3:12 Ever since our ancestors fell asleep,3:4 Ac 7:60 all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.”

5They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God3:5 Gn 1:3–30; Ps 148:5; Jn 1:1–3; Heb 4:12; 11:3 the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.3:5 Ps 24:1–2; 33:6–7; 136:5–6; Pr 8:24–29

6Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded.3:6 2Pt 2:5

7By the same word,3:7 Is 66:15–16; Ezk 38:22; Am 7:4; Zph 1:18; Mal 4:1 the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment3:7 Php 1:6; 2Th 1:5; 1Jn 4:17 and destruction of the ungodly.

14Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.3:14 Php 2:15; 1Th 5:23; 1Tm 6:14; Jms 1:27

15Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.3:15 Ac 9:17; 15:25; 2Pt 3:2

16He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction,3:16 Heb 5:11; 2Pt 2:14 as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.