2 Peter 3 Cross References - AUV

¹ This is now, my dearly loved ones, the second letter I am writing to you; in both of them, as a reminder, I want to stir up your sincere thoughts ² to remember the words spoken to you in the past by the holy prophets, and what the Lord and Savior commanded you through your apostles. ³ First of all, you should understand that, in the final days, mockers with evil desires will come [to you] saying, mockingly, ⁴ “Why has the promise of a coming Messiah [not been fulfilled yet]? After all, since the time our ancestors died, everything has continued the same, even since the beginning of creation!” ⁵ But, these people intentionally forget that the heavens, which existed long ago, and the earth, which was formed out of water and by water, [were created] by the word of God. ⁶ [And] it was by water that the world, which existed at that time, perished in a great flood [of Noah’s day]! ⁷ But, by means of the same word [of God], the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, awaiting the judgment and destruction [by God], along with [its] ungodly people. ⁸ But do not forget this one thing, my dearly loved ones, that as the Lord [counts time], one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow about keeping His promise, like some people are, but is [simply] being patient with you, since He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but He wants everyone to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives]. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief [i.e., unexpectedly]. At that time the heavens will pass away with a loud noise and the elements [Note: This refers either to the heavenly bodies or to the material components of the universe], will be dissolved with intense heat. And the earth and its works [i.e., its activities] will be burned up. [Note: Some translations render this phrase as it is in some ancient manuscripts, “will be disclosed,” or “will be laid bare”]. ¹¹ Since all these things are [certain] to be destroyed, what kind of persons should you be, [if not like those] living holy lives, and in a godly manner, ¹² [while] looking forward to, and earnestly desiring the day of God to come, when the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved by fire and the elements [See verse 10] will melt with intense heat. ¹³ But, since God has promised it, we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will prevail. ¹⁴ So, my dearly loved ones, while you are waiting for these things [to happen], do your best to be found at peace with God, pure and blameless in His sight. ¹⁵ And consider [that] the patience of the Lord means [further opportunities for] salvation, [just] as our dearly loved brother Paul also wrote to you, using the wisdom given to him by God. ¹⁶ He spoke about these things in all of his letters, which contain some parts that are difficult to understand. [Because of this], ignorant and unstable people twist [his writings], just as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. ¹⁷ Therefore, dearly loved ones, since you know about these things ahead of time, be on your guard so that you are not led astray by the error of lawless people, and [thus] fall from your own stability [i.e., your safe or secure position in Christ]. ¹⁸ But grow in the unearned favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May He be honored both now and forever. May it be so.

⁸ “Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] will be blessed because they will see God.

¹³ And do not allow us to fall under temptation, but deliver us from [being harmed by] the evil one.’

¹⁵ “Look out for deceiving prophets, who approach you wearing sheep’s clothing, but who are [actually] starving wolves in their hearts.

²⁷ The men [on board the boat] marveled, saying, “What kind of a man is this, that even the wind and waves obey Him?”

¹⁵ It is true when I say to you, the districts around Sodom and Gomorrah [i.e., despite their gross sins] will be shown more leniency than that town on the day of judgment.

²² But I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you people will.

²⁴ But I say to you, Sodom will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you will.”

³⁶ And I say to you, a person will [have to] give an account [to God] on the day of judgment for every careless word he had spoken [while on earth].

³ And He answered them, “Why do you also violate the commandments of God by [following] your traditions?

⁶ this person does not honor his father [or mother]. You have made God’s message useless by [thus enforcing] your traditions.

⁶ Jesus said to them, “Pay attention and watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

¹¹ How is it that you do not understand that I was not speaking to you about [physical] bread? But [rather I meant] watch out for the yeast [i.e., the influence] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

²⁹ But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken [in your reasoning], not knowing [what] the Scriptures [teach] or [how much] power God has.

²⁴ For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will perform great [miraculous] signs and [supernatural] wonders in order to lead astray even the elect [i.e., God’s people], if possible. ²⁵ You see, I have told you [all this] ahead of time. ²⁶ Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look, he [i.e., Christ. See verse 23] is in the desert,’ do not go out there. [Or if they say], ‘Look, he is in an inside room,’ do not believe him.

²⁸ Wherever there is a dead body, [you can expect to see] vultures gathered there. [Note: This may mean that such a significant event as the coming of Christ would surely not go unnoticed].

³⁵ [Although] the sky and the earth will pass away [See II Pet. 3:10], my words will not pass away [i.e., they will certainly come true].

³⁸ For in those days before the Flood, people were eating and drinking [i.e., partaking of ordinary meals], men were getting married and women were being given away in marriage [right up] until the day Noah entered the ship. ³⁹ And the people [i.e., of Noah’s day] did not know [when it would happen] until the Flood came and swept them all away. It will be the same way when the presence of the Son of man [arrives].

⁴² Therefore be alert, for you do not know on what day the Lord will come. ⁴³ But you should know this: if the owner of a house had known when a thief was coming, he would have been watching so as not to allow his house to be broken into.

⁴⁸ But if that slave, with evil intent, should think to himself, ‘My master will not be back very soon,’

⁴¹ Then He [i.e., the King] will say to those at His left side, ‘Go away from me, you who are cursed [by God], into the never ending fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.

²⁰ [Then] go on teaching them [i.e., these new converts] to obey everything I have commanded you and my presence will be with you always, even to the end of the age.

¹¹ And the people from whatever place that does not welcome you or listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off from under your shoes as evidence against them.” [Note: This was a Jewish custom showing disdain and intended to suggest their unworthiness].

⁶ But from the beginning of creation God made mankind male and female.

¹⁹ There will be great trouble during those days, such as had never been from the beginning of God’s creation until the present, or even will be [in the days to come].

²² For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will perform [miraculous] signs and [supernatural] wonders in order to lead astray [even] the elect, if possible. ²³ But pay attention, for I have told you [all this] ahead of time.

³¹ Although the sky and the earth will pass away [See II Pet. 3:10], my words will not pass away [i.e., they will certainly come true].

⁷⁰ (as He spoke through the message of the holy prophets of long ago).

²⁹ “Master, you may now allow your servant to be released [i.e., die] in peace, according to what you said.

³⁹ But you should realize this, if the owner of the house had known exactly when the burglar was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

⁴³ That servant will be happy when his master returns to find him doing [his job] well.

⁴⁵ But if that slave should think to himself, ‘My master will not be back soon,’ and then becomes physically abusive to his men and women servants, and eats and drinks and gets drunk,

²⁷ People were eating and drinking and [men were] marrying and [women] were being given away in marriage [right up] until the day that Noah entered the ship and the Flood came and drowned them all.

⁷ So, will God not grant justice to His elect [i.e., His people] who call out to Him [i.e., in prayer] day and night? Will He be slow in helping them? ⁸ I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly. However, will the Son of man find [very many] believing people on the earth when He returns?”

¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.

²⁷ Then, beginning from [the writings of] Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explained to the two men about the things referring to Himself [contained] in all these Scripture passages.

⁴⁴ Then Jesus said to the apostles, “These are the words that I told you while I was still with you, [when I said] that everything written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms about me needed to be fulfilled.”

¹⁹ Now this is [how God’s] judgment [works]: The Light [See 1:5-9] has come into the world, but people loved darkness [i.e., sin] rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For every person who practices evil things hates the light [of truth] and does not come to it, for fear of having his deeds exposed [as sinful].

²³ so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The person who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

⁴ But I have told you these things so that, when the time comes [for people to do such things], you will remember that I had warned you. I did not tell you them at the beginning [of my ministry] because I was with you [i.e., to protect you from persecution].

³ And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent.

⁴² And these [new converts] continued regularly [to listen] to the teaching of the apostles and to share with them; they broke bread [in memory of Jesus] and continued praying.

¹⁸ But this is the way God fulfilled the things which He had predicted through the prophets about the suffering of Christ.

²¹ who must be received into heaven until [God's appointed] times when everything will be restored [to its intended purpose]. God had spoken about this through the proclamations of His holy prophets of long ago.

²⁴ Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel on down, who have spoken, have predicted these days. ²⁵ You people are descendants of these prophets and [recipients] of the Agreement God made with your forefathers when He said to Abraham [Gen. 12:3], 'And through your seed [i.e., your descendant Jesus] all the people of the earth will receive the blessings [of God].' ²⁶ You [Jews] were the first ones to receive this blessing when God raised up [i.e., selected] His Servant [i.e., Jesus] and sent Him to turn all of you [away] from your sins."

¹⁰ and rescued him from all his troubles and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him a governor over Egypt and his [i.e., the king's] household.

⁴³ All the prophets have testified [in their writings], that it is through the name of Jesus that every person who believes in Him will receive the forgiveness of sins."

²⁵ So, after we came to full agreement, it seemed wise to us to choose [two] men [See verse 22] to accompany our dear Barnabas and Paul,

²³ And when they had arranged a day, large numbers of people came to Paul's house. He explained [everything to them], testifying from morning until evening concerning the kingdom of God and concerning [the Messiahship of] Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from [the writings of] the prophets.

²⁸ And since these people refused to acknowledge God, He has allowed [or, abandoned] them to have degraded minds and to practice those things which they should not do.

⁴ Or, do you despise the abundance of God’s kindness and tolerance and patience [toward you], not realizing that His kindness is intended to cause you to repent? [i.e., to change your hearts and lives]. ⁵ But your stubbornness and refusal to repent are storing up wrath [i.e., punishment] for yourselves, [to be experienced] on the Day of Wrath [i.e., the day of judgment] when God’s just judgment will be revealed.

¹ Therefore, none of those who are in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus will be condemned. ² For the Holy Spirit’s law which provides [never ending] life for those in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus has freed me from the law that requires [spiritual] death for sinning. ³ For what the law was not able to do [for mankind], since it was [too] weak [to deliver them from condemnation] because fleshly people [were unable to obey it perfectly], God condemned sin in the flesh [i.e., sin was declared evil and its power over man broken]. God did this by sending His own Son in a body like sinful man’s, and to destroy sin, ⁴ so that the requirements of the law could be [considered] fulfilled in us, who do not live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, but according to [the promptings of] the Holy Spirit. ⁵ For those people who are [controlled] by the flesh think about [i.e., desire] what the flesh wants; but those who are [controlled] by the Holy Spirit [desire] what the Holy Spirit wants. ⁶ For the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh will suffer [spiritual] death; but the one whose mind is [controlled] by the Holy Spirit will enjoy [never ending] life and peace. ⁷ This is because the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh is an enemy of God; for he is not obedient to God’s law, and in fact, cannot obey it. ⁸ And those people who are living according to the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But if the Spirit of God [truly] lives in your heart, you are not [being controlled] by the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. But if any person does not have the Spirit of Christ [living in him], he does not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ And if Christ lives in your hearts, even though the body is [doomed to] death because of [Adam’s ?] sin; yet the spirit is [destined to] live [forever] because of being [made] right with God. [Note: Some take “spirit” here to be “Spirit” and make it “The Holy Spirit gives you life.” See next verse]. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in your hearts, [then] that One [i.e., God] who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, will restore life to your mortal bodies also, through [the power of] God’s Spirit who lives in your hearts. ¹² So then, brothers, we are under obligation, but not to live under [the control of] the flesh, ¹³ for if you people live under [the control of] the flesh, you must die [spiritually]; but if you put to death [i.e., stop practicing] the [sinful] habits of the body by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, you will live [spiritually]. ¹⁴ For all of those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the Holy Spirit, to enslave you again to fear, [Note: Some translators take “Holy Spirit” here to be “spirit,” making the verse say “you did not receive the spirit of slavery”], but you received the Holy Spirit [who produces] sonship, so we can call out, “Abba”, [which means] “Father.” ¹⁶ The Holy Spirit Himself bears testimony [along] with our [human] spirit that we are the children of God. ¹⁷ And if we are [His] children, then we have an inheritance from God [i.e., blessings here and hereafter] and are fellow-sharers with Christ [of such blessings], providing we [are willing to] suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him [i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25]. ¹⁸ For I consider that our present sufferings do not deserve to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us [i.e., in the future life]. ¹⁹ For [all] creation [Note: “Creation” here refers to the material heavens and earth, and is personified through verse 23] is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed [i.e., in their glorious state]. ²⁰ But God subjected the created world to aimless frustration [i.e., after the fall. See Gen. 3:17-18] --- it did not happen by its own choice. Yet there was hope

²⁰ But God subjected the created world to aimless frustration [i.e., after the fall. See Gen. 3:17-18] --- it did not happen by its own choice. Yet there was hope ²¹ that the created world itself would be freed from its slavery to corrupting influences [i.e., produced by the fall] and receive the glorious freedom which belongs to God’s children. ²² For we know that the entire created world moans in painful anguish [i.e., as a woman in childbirth] until this present moment. ²³ And not just the world, but even we [Christians] ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit [i.e., the first installment of our inheritance from God] also groan within us, eagerly waiting to be adopted as [God’s] children, and receive back our bodies [i.e., in the resurrection]. ²⁴ For in [this] hope we were saved [i.e., we received the hope of future blessings]; but if we [already] see what we hope for, it is not [really] hope. For who hopes for what he [already] sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we cannot see, then we [must] patiently wait for it [to be received]. ²⁶ And in the same way, the Holy Spirit helps [us in] our weakness; for we do not know what we ought to pray for [Note: Some translators understand this as “how to pray”]. But the Holy Spirit goes to God on our behalf with groanings [in our hearts] that are not expressed [in words]. ²⁷ And God, who searches our hearts, knows what the Holy Spirit [has] in mind, because He [i.e., the Holy Spirit] goes to God on behalf of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] in harmony with God’s will. ²⁸ And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called [to serve Him] in harmony with His purpose [for them]. ²⁹ For [that class of] persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the [spiritual] likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among [His] many brothers [i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11]. ³⁰ And [that class of] persons whom God [so] predetermined, He also called [through the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14]. And those He called, He also made right with Himself. And those He made right with Himself, He also [determined to be] honored [i.e., in the future life]. ³¹ What then should we conclude from this? [Just this]: If God is on our side, who can [successfully] oppose us? ³² God did not withhold His own Son [from dying], but offered Him up for all of us. [Since He did that], will He not, along with Jesus, freely give us everything [else] also? ³³ Who will bring an accusation against God’s chosen people? [Certainly not God, for] He makes people right with Himself. ³⁴ Who condemns [us]? Certainly not Jesus, for He is the One who died [i.e., to save us], and what is more, He was raised from the dead and is [now] at the right side of God. He also goes [to God] on our behalf [i.e., as we pray]. ³⁵ Who [i.e., what] can separate us from Christ’s love [for us]? [i.e., what unfortunate circumstance of life might suggest that Christ does not love us?] Would [it be] trouble? Or distress? Or persecution? Or inadequate food? Or inadequate clothing? Or danger? Or [even] death? ³⁶ Just as it is written [Psa. 44:22], “We are [in danger of being] killed all the time. We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” ³⁷ No, [suffering any one of these things is not proof that Christ does not love us], for in spite of all these things we have a decisive victory [over life’s difficulties] through [the care shown us by] Christ who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor [the trials of] life, nor [evil] angels, nor [evil] rulers, nor present or future [circumstances], nor [evil] powers, ³⁹ nor [things] above, nor [things] below, nor any [other] created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love [for us], revealed through Christ Jesus our Lord [Note: The idea of this passage is “Regardless of what happens to us, God still loves us”].

²² What if God [did] patiently put up with people who deserved His wrath and [who were] ready for destruction, even though He was willing to demonstrate His wrath and power?

²⁵ For I want you to know this secret, brothers, so you will not become conceited: Part of the Israelites have become [spiritually] insensitive [to God], [and will remain that way] until the fullness of the Gentiles occurs. [Note: As with verse 12, concerning the Jews, “fullness” here may mean either a large or the complete number of Gentiles who will be saved].

³⁶ For everything was created by Him, exists through His [power] and is intended for His [glory]. May He be praised forever. May it be so.

¹⁸ For such men are not serving our Lord Christ but their own [unspiritual] appetites. They are deceiving the minds of innocent people by their smooth talk and flattering words.

⁷ so that you are not lacking in any [spiritual] gift, while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed [i.e., at His second coming]. ⁸ He will also make you stand firm [in the faith] to the end [of your lives], so that you will be [considered] without just blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ [returns].

⁸ He will also make you stand firm [in the faith] to the end [of your lives], so that you will be [considered] without just blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ [returns].

¹³ These also are the things we [apostles] speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but [in words] taught by the Holy Spirit. We use [or, combine] Spirit-taught words to express [or, with] Spirit-given truth.

¹⁰ Using the unearned favor shown to me by God [Note: Paul here probably refers to his apostleship and its attending spiritual gifts], as an expert building contractor, I laid the foundation [i.e., in starting the Corinthian church], and someone else is building on it [i.e., Apollos. See verse 6].

⁵ to turn such a person over to Satan for his body to be destroyed [Note: This probably refers to his removal from their fellowship. See verse 2], in order for his spirit to be saved in the day of the Lord [i.e., the judgment day]. [Note: This implies that his removal from their fellowship will have produced a genuine repentance before that time].

¹ For I want you to be [fully] aware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and all of them passed [safely] through the [Red] Sea. [Note: This refers to God guiding the Israelites through the desert during the daytime by a cloud moving along above them . See Ex. 13:21-22].

¹² So, the person who thinks he is standing firm [in the faith] should pay attention [to his life], so that he does not fall [away from God].

¹ Now concerning spiritual [i.e., supernatural] gifts, brothers, I want you to be [fully] knowledgeable.

⁸ For one person is given the [supernatural] message of wisdom through the Holy Spirit; another person is given the [supernatural] message of knowledge by means of the same Holy Spirit.

¹ Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the good news which I preached to you. You received it; you are standing firm in it; ² [and] you have been saved by it also, if you hold on to it firmly [i.e., continue believing and practicing it]. For if you do not [hold on to it firmly], you will have believed [it] all for nothing. ³ For I passed on to you the [following] main principles that I received [i.e., by revelation]: Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; ⁴ He was buried; He was raised [from the dead] on the third day, according to the Scriptures; ⁵ and He appeared to Cephas [i.e., Peter. See Luke 24:34], and then to the twelve apostles. [See Luke 24:33]. ⁶ After that He appeared to over five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, but some have died. ⁷ Then He appeared to James [Note: This was probably Jesus’ half-brother. See Acts 12:17; Gal. 1:19], and then to all of the apostles. [See John 20:26]. ⁸ Then last of all, He appeared to me also, as someone born abnormally. [Note: This probably refers to Paul being converted later than the rest of the apostles]. ⁹ For I am the least [significant] of the apostles, and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But I am whatever I am because of God’s unearned favor, and the favor He showed me was not for nothing [i.e., Paul made the most of his conversion by being extra diligent in his service to God]. But I worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I, but God’s favor on me [that accomplished it]. ¹¹ So, whether it was I, or the other apostles [who did the work], this is [the message] that we have preached, and that you people have received. ¹² Now if it is preached that Christ was raised from the dead, how can some people among you say that people will not be raised from the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection from the dead, [then] Christ has not been raised up either. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised up, then our preaching is for nothing, and your faith is for nothing too. ¹⁵ And also, we are found to be false witnesses about God because we testified that God raised up Christ [from the dead], when [in reality] He did not raise Him up if, in fact, the dead are not raised up. ¹⁶ For if dead people are not raised up, [then] neither has Christ been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised up, [then] your faith is for nothing; you are still condemned by your sins. ¹⁸ Then [also], those who have died in [fellowship with] Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If we have placed our hope in Christ while in this life only, we are to be pitied more than all [other] people. ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised up from the dead; [He is] the firstfruits of those who have died. [Note: By “firstfruits” is meant the first installment of the crop which promises the entire harvest eventually]. ²¹ For since death happened to a man [i.e., Adam], the resurrection from the dead also happened to a man [i.e., Christ]. ²² For as all people die [physically] in [their relationship to] Adam, so also will all people be made alive [physically] in [their relationship to] Christ. [Note: However, some view “made alive” as referring to the new spiritual life given to believers]. ²³ But each one [is raised up] in his own turn: Christ as the firstfruits [See verse 20]; then those who are Christ’s [i.e., believers], when He returns. ²⁴ Then [i.e., at Christ’s return] the end [of the world] will occur, when He will turn over the kingdom to God, the Father, after He has abolished all [hostile] dominion, authority and power. ²⁵ For Christ must [continue to] rule [over His kingdom, the church] until God has put all of His enemies under Christ’s feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be abolished is death. ²⁷ For He [i.e., God] placed everything in subjection under His [i.e., Christ’s] feet. But when God said, “Everything is in subjection [to Him],” it is clear that this did not include God [Himself], who placed everything in subjection to Him [i.e., Christ]. ²⁸ And after everything [else] has been subjected to Christ, then the Son Himself will also be subjected [i.e., He will subject Himself] to God, who subjected everything to Christ, so that God may rule over everything. ²⁹ Otherwise [i.e., if there were no resurrection], what do people accomplish by being immersed for those who have [already] died? If dead people are not raised up at all, why then are people immersed on their behalf? [Note: The foregoing rendition is the most commonly held one of over 30 interpretations given to this very difficult verse. Other possibilities are: a) “immersed in view of (being raised from) the dead,” b) “immersed in view of being dead (to sin),” c) “immersed in view of (having to suffer) death,” d) “immersed in view of (someday joining) the dead”]. ³⁰ Why do we also risk danger every hour [i.e., if there were no resurrection]? ³¹ I face death every day, I assure you brothers, as surely as I boast of [fellowship with] you in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² What benefit was it to me, from a human standpoint, if I fought wild animals in Ephesus, and [yet] the dead are not raised? [Note: This probably refers to Paul facing ferocious opposition from people there in Ephesus]. We should [just] eat and drink, for tomorrow we [may] die. ³³ Do not be fooled; bad company ruins good moral behavior. ³⁴ Come to your senses; do what is right and stop sinning. Some of you do not know God [i.e., in a personal way]. I am saying this to make you ashamed. ³⁵ But someone will ask, “How are dead people raised up?” and “What kind of a body will they have?” ³⁶ You foolish person. The seed you plant does not come to life [i.e., grow] unless it dies. ³⁷ And what you yourself sow is not the plant that will [eventually] come up, but simply a seed. It may be a grain of wheat or something else. ³⁸ But God gives it the [kind of] body He wants [it to have], so each seed gets its own plant. ³⁹ All flesh is not the same [Note: The word “flesh” here refers to the material composition of matter, and in no way suggests anything sinful, as it does in many other places in Paul’s writings]. But mankind has one [kind of] flesh; animals have another kind; birds have another; and fish [still] another. ⁴⁰ Also, there are heavenly bodies [i.e., stars and planets] and earthly bodies [i.e., men and animals]. But the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one [kind], and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another [kind]. ⁴¹ The sun has one [kind] of splendor, and the moon has another [kind], and the stars [still] another. For [even] one star’s splendor is different from another’s. ⁴² It is the same way with the resurrection of dead people. [A person’s body] is buried [only] to decay; it is raised up never to decay again. ⁴³ It is buried in dishonor; it is raised up in splendor. It is buried in weakness; it is raised up in power. ⁴⁴ It is buried as a physical body; it is raised up as a spiritual body. If there is [such a thing as] a physical body, [then] there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So, it is also written [Gen. 2:7], “The first man, Adam, became a living being.” The last Adam [i.e., Christ], became the Spirit who gives [never ending] life. [See John 5:21]. ⁴⁶ However, the spiritual [body] does not come first, but the physical [body does]; then the spiritual [body comes]. ⁴⁷ The first man [i.e., Adam] came from the dust of the ground [See Gen. 2:7]; the second man [i.e., Christ] came from heaven. ⁴⁸ Just as earthly people are like the man who came from dust; so heavenly people are like the man who came from heaven. ⁴⁹ And just as we [now] appear [in both a physical and spiritual body] like the man who came from dust [i.e., Adam]; we will also [someday] appear [in both a physical(?) and spiritual body] like the man who came from heaven [i.e., Christ]. ⁵⁰ Now this is what I am saying, brothers; flesh and blood [i.e., physical bodies] cannot possess the kingdom of God [i.e., the heavenly realm]; neither can [bodies that] decay possess [a place] which does not decay. ⁵¹ Look, I am telling you a secret truth: We will not all die, but we will all be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually] ⁵² in a split second, as quickly as the twinkle of an eye, when the last trumpet blows. For the trumpet will blow and dead people [i.e., believers] will be raised up, never to decay again, and [the living] will be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually]. ⁵³ For this [body] that can decay must be clothed with [a body] which cannot decay. And this [body] that can die must be clothed with [a body] which cannot die. ⁵⁴ But when this [body] that can decay has been clothed with one which cannot decay, and this [body] that can die has been clothed with one which cannot die, then the Scriptural saying will be fulfilled [Isa. 25:8], “Death has been swallowed up [i.e., eliminated] by victory.” [Note: The reference here is to the time when believers will experience victory over death by being resurrected or taken directly to be with God]. ⁵⁵ [Hos. 13:14 says], “Death, where is your victory [over people]? Death, where is your [harmful] sting?” ⁵⁶ The [harmful] sting that causes [physical] death is sin [See Rom. 5:12]; and the power of sin [to do this] comes from the law. [See Rom. 8:2]. ⁵⁷ But I thank God for giving us victory [i.e., over sin and death] through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dearly loved brothers, stand firm [in the faith]; do not be moved [from your commitment]. Always do your best to work for the Lord, since you know that your labor in the Lord’s [service] is not for nothing.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dearly loved brothers, stand firm [in the faith]; do not be moved [from your commitment]. Always do your best to work for the Lord, since you know that your labor in the Lord’s [service] is not for nothing.

¹² For this is what we boast of: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and godly sincerity, not with human wisdom, but with the favor of God.

¹⁴ as you have understood us partially [or “only a part of you have understood us”], that we are [the occasion of] your boasting, even as you are [the occasion of] our boasting.

² Instead, we have renounced [the practice of] secret, disgraceful behavior. We do not practice deception, nor resort to distorting God’s message. But, by making known the truth [i.e., the true message], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the presence of God.

⁶ For God, who said [Gen. 1:3], “Light will shine out of darkness,” has [also] shone in our hearts to provide [us with] the light of the knowledge of God’s splendor [as it shines] on the face of Christ. [Note: This allusion to “splendor shining on Christ’s face” may be a continuation of the analogy used in 3:13].

³ But I am afraid that somehow, just as the snake tricked Eve by his cunning, your minds might [also] be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

¹³ For such men are false apostles; they are deceitful workers, who disguise themselves as [true] apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And it is no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light [i.e., someone pure and righteous]. ¹⁵ Therefore, it should not be surprising for Satan’s ministers to disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their [final] end will be what they deserve for such actions.

² I told you the last time I was there, and now before returning, I [again] warn those who have sinned in the past as well as the rest, that if I come again I will not spare you [i.e., I will rebuke and discipline you],

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you a spirit [i.e., a disposition] of wisdom and revelation [or, “give you the spiritual gifts of wisdom and revelation”], so you can have full knowledge of God.

²⁰ [You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets [See I Cor. 12:28], with Christ Jesus Himself being the principal stone by which the entire building is aligned.

³ [It is] that God’s secret plan [i.e., revealed in the Gospel preached to Gentiles. See verse 6] was made known to me by way of a revelation. [See Acts 9:15; 22:21]. I have already written to you [about this] briefly [i.e., probably a reference to 1:9ff].

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be [spiritual] babies, tossed back and forth [by waves], and blown around by every wind of [false] teaching, [deceived] by the clever trickery of people using deceptive schemes. ¹⁵ But [instead], we should speak [and practice] truth in a loving way, so that we can, in all respects, grow up [spiritually] into [union with] Christ, who is the head [i.e., of His body, the church].

⁶ I am confident of this very thing, that God, who began something good among you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ’s [return].

¹⁰ Then you will be able to approve of [only] what is best and be sincere and without just blame on the day of Christ’s [return],

²⁷ So, [whatever happens], live your daily lives in such a way as to be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or remain absent from you, I will hear about you, that you are standing firm in one spirit [i.e., united in purpose, and] contending with one mind for the faith of the Gospel [i.e., for the body of Christian teaching]. ²⁸ [I also want to hear] that you are not being frightened by those who oppose you, which [opposition] is proof that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved, and this will [all] be done by God.

¹⁵ so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

² Watch out for the “dogs!” [Note: “Dogs” were viewed with disgust by the ancient Jews (Deut. 23:18; II Kings 8:13; Rev. 22:15), so the term is used here derogatorily for Jewish Christians who were trying to impose on the church the requirements of the law of Moses]. Watch out for the evil workers! Watch out for those who mutilate the body meaninglessly! [Note: Paul here alludes, in a derogatory wordplay, to the Jewish practice of circumcision].

⁸ What is more, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus [as] my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things. [I now] consider [all of] them to be trash, in order to gain Christ

¹⁹ Their [ultimate] end is [spiritual] destruction; their god is their appetite; they boast of what they ought to be ashamed of, and they [constantly] think about worldly things. ²⁰ But we are [really] citizens of heaven and we are waiting for a Savior [to return] from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁰ [We pray for you] to live a life deserving of the Lord, pleasing to Him in every way, producing fruit in every good deed and growing in the knowledge of God.

¹⁷ And He existed before all things and all things are held together by Him.

⁵ For even though I am absent [from you] in body, still I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing and observing [i.e., with my mind’s eye] your orderly behavior and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

⁸ Pay attention so that no one takes you [spiritually] captive through his philosophy and empty deception based on human tradition, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ.

¹⁰ and have put on the new person, who is being [daily] renewed with full knowledge, according to the image of God, who [re-] created him.

⁵ for our Gospel came to you, not merely in words, but also in power, in [a demonstration of] the Holy Spirit [See I Cor. 2:4] and with [“our” or “your”] deep conviction [of its truth]. You people know what kind of men we were while living among you for your benefit.

¹⁹ For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By “crown” Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?

¹³ May the Lord strengthen your hearts so you will be [found] without just blame and holy, in the presence of our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all of His holy ones [i.e., angels. See Mark 8:38; II Thess. 1:7].

¹ Finally then, brothers, we request and urge you, in [the fellowship of] the Lord, that you should live [dedicated lives] and please God. Just as you people received direction from us [on doing this], see that you [continue to] do it more and more. ² For you know [i.e., are aware of] the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. ³ For it is God’s will that you should be dedicated to Him, [that is], you should avoid sexual immorality. ⁴ Each of you should know how to control his own body in a dedicated and honorable way, ⁵ not in passionate lust, as the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not know God, do.

² for you know perfectly well that the day of the Lord [i.e., when He returns, See II Thess. 2:1-2] will arrive like a thief coming in the night.

²³ And may God Himself, who gives peace, dedicate you completely, and may your spirit, soul and body [i.e., your entire person] be kept without just blame at [i.e., until] the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought to thank God for you always, brothers, since it is proper, because your faith is growing so much and the love that every one of you has for each other is increasing more and more.

⁷ and to provide [future] rest for you, along with us, who are afflicted. [This will occur] when Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire [i.e., at His second coming], accompanied by His mighty angels. ⁸ He will inflict punishment on those people who do not know God [as Savior], and on those who do not obey the Gospel message of our Lord Jesus.

³ Do not allow anyone to deceive you in any way, for it will not occur until the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness becomes evident. [Note: This “rebellion” refers to a significant falling away from the teaching and practice of true Christianity (See I Tim. 4:1), characterized by the rise of an authoritarian religious leader]. This man is doomed to be destroyed

¹⁰ and all kinds of wicked deception toward those people who are perishing [spiritually], because they refused to love the truth so they could be saved. ¹¹ And this is the reason that God sends them a strong delusion [to influence them]: It is so that they would believe the lie, ¹² in order that all those who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in wrongdoing, would be condemned.

¹⁶ However, even though I was the worst, I obtained mercy so that the patience of Jesus Christ could be shown toward the worst [of sinners] as an example for those people who would later believe in Him in order to [receive] never ending life.

⁴ who wants all people to be saved and come to a [full] knowledge of the truth.

¹⁶ And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

¹ Now the Holy Spirit specifically says that in later times [Note: “Later times” in the New Testament usually refers to the period following the first coming of Christ and the establishment of the church], some people will fall away from the faith [i.e., the true teaching of Christianity]. They will pay attention to deceitful spirits [i.e., lying people] and the teaching of evil spirits. ² [Such teaching will be spread] by hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared over as with a hot iron [i.e., making them insensitive to their guilt].

¹² Do not allow anyone to look down on you because you are [so] young, but you should be an example to those who believe [in Christ] in your speech, in your conduct, in your love, in your faith [and] in your purity.

²² Do not be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone [i.e., to appoint them to office. See 4:14], and do not participate in the sins of other people. [Note: If Timothy failed to carefully determine the qualifications of a prospective elder before appointing him, it would make him partially responsible for any wrongdoing by that elder]. Keep yourself pure [i.e., of involvement in anyone’s sins].

³ If anyone teaches a different doctrine [i.e., from what has been urged above], and does not agree to [proclaim the] sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to teaching that is godly [i.e., in harmony with godliness],

⁶ But godliness [itself] is great gain, [when it is] accompanied by contentment.

⁹ But those people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and [spiritual] destruction.

¹¹ But you, man of God, run from these things [See verses 3-10], and pursue right living and godliness, having faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

⁶ The reason I am reminding you [of these things] is so that you will rekindle the gift from God, which is in your life through the laying on my hands. [Note: This “gift” was probably his ordination to serve as an evangelist (See 4:1-5), and in addition, may have included a supernatural “spiritual gift” bestowed by the apostle Paul].

¹ But you should know this: There will be terrible times in the last days [of the Christian age].

⁵ [These people] maintain an appearance of being godly, but they have denied its power; [you should] turn away from such people. ⁶ They are the kind of people who enter homes and influence [morally] weak-willed women, loaded down with sins, [and] led on by all kinds of evil desires. ⁷ They are constantly learning and [yet] never able to arrive at a [full] knowledge of the truth.

¹⁵ You should beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.

¹⁸ The Lord will [continue to] rescue me from all harm and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. May He be praised forever and ever. May it be so.

¹³ while looking forward to the blessed hope [i.e., the hope that produces blessings] and the coming splendor of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹¹ They will be destroyed, but you will remain. And they [i.e., the heavens and earth] will all wear out like an article of clothing. ¹² And you will fold them up like a robe, and they will be changed like an article of clothing. But you will stay the same and your years will never end.”

¹⁴ For we have become sharers with Christ, if we hold firmly onto the confidence [we had in Him] from the beginning until the end [of our lives].

¹¹ [Now] we have many things to say about Melchizedek, but because of your slowness to grasp things, they are hard to explain.

²⁸ so Christ also, who was once [for all] offered [as a sacrifice] to take away the sins of many people, will come back a second time, not to take away sin, [but] to provide salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

³⁷ [Hab. 2:3-4 LXX says], “For [it will be] only a short time [before] He [i.e., Christ], who is coming, will be here without delay.

³ By [having] faith, we understand that the universe was formed by God’s word [See Gen. 1:1-27], so that what is seen has not been made out of what is visible.

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money [and be] content with what you have, because God [Himself] has said [Deut. 31:6], “By no means will I [ever] desert you or give up on you.”

⁵ But if any one of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who gives to everyone generously and does not begrudge [the person who asks], and it will be given to him.

⁸ because he is double-minded and undecided in all that he does [i.e., he cannot make up his mind and follow through about anything].

²⁴ and [then after] he sees himself, [he] goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

²⁷ Religion that is pure and uncorrupted in the eyes of [our] God and Father involves taking care of orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world.

¹³ Who [then] is the wise and understanding person among you? He should show by his good conduct [that he has] deeds of gentleness [stemming] from wisdom.

¹⁷ But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere.

¹ [This is being written by] Jesus’ apostle Peter, to God’s people who are scattered throughout the countries of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. [Note: These places are located in present-day Turkey].

¹ [This is being written by] Jesus’ apostle Peter, to God’s people who are scattered throughout the countries of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. [Note: These places are located in present-day Turkey]. ² These people have been [specially] selected, and [their acceptance was] pre-planned by God the Father, and they were set apart through [the work of] the Holy Spirit. This resulted in their obedience and sprinkling [Note: This is a figurative reference to the Old Testament practice of cleansing, See Exodus 24:7-8] by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God’s unearned favor and peace be continually upon you.

¹⁰ The prophets [of old], who spoke of this salvation, asked about and searched diligently concerning the unearned favor [God provided] for you people. ¹¹ They studied [their own prophecies] to learn what, or which, [person or] time the Holy Spirit in them pointed to, in predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories yet to come. ¹² It was revealed to these prophets that you people, not they, were the ones being ministered to in the matters now being announced to you by those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. [This message contained] things which angels would like to look into.

¹⁵ but according to the Holy One, who called you [i.e., God], you people also should become holy [i.e., separated for God’s service] in all your conduct,

²² [Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.

² [So], like newly born babies, you should desire the genuine, spiritual milk [i.e., God’s word. See Heb. 5:12-13], so that by it you may grow toward [final] salvation,

⁸ [And it also says, Isa. 8:14, that He would be], “A stone that people would stumble over and a rock over which they would trip and fall.” The way they stumble is by disobeying the Gospel message. They were destined [though not forced] to do this.

¹² You should live such good lives before [unconverted] Gentiles, so that even though they accuse you of being evildoers, by seeing your good deeds, they will [be led to] honor God [for you] on the day He visits us again [i.e., to bring judgment].

²⁰ These people had disobeyed [Noah’s preaching, See II Pet. 2:5] back when God’s patience waited [for them to repent, See Gen. 6:3], during the days of Noah, when the ship was being constructed. It was by that means [i.e., the ship floating them to safety through the Flood waters] that a few persons, eight of them, were saved [from destruction] through water.

⁹ You should withstand his efforts by maintaining a strong faith [in God], remembering that your [Christian] brothers in [the rest of] the world are experiencing [and enduring] suffering similar to yours. ¹⁰ And the God who bestows every unearned favor [upon His people], who invited you to partake of His eternal splendor through Christ Jesus, will restore, confirm, strengthen and stabilize you people [in the faith], after you have gone through a brief time of suffering. ¹¹ May God have total authority over everything [including your circumstances] forever. May it be so.

³ God’s divine power has given us everything [necessary] for [abundant] life and godly living, through the knowledge of Him [i.e., God], who called us by His own splendor and goodness.

⁵ And for this very reason, you people should make every effort to develop goodness along with your faith, ⁶ and knowledge along with your goodness, and self-control along with your knowledge, and endurance along with your self-control, and godliness along with your endurance,

⁶ and knowledge along with your goodness, and self-control along with your knowledge, and endurance along with your self-control, and godliness along with your endurance, ⁷ and brotherly kindness along with your godliness, and with your brotherly kindness, develop love. ⁸ For if you people have a lot of these [qualities] they will keep you from being unproductive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁸ For if you people have a lot of these [qualities] they will keep you from being unproductive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But, anyone who lacks these qualities is [spiritually] blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed [i.e., forgiven] of his past sins. ¹⁰ So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God].

¹⁰ So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God]. ¹¹ For in this way, you will be provided with a rich welcome into the never ending kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [i.e., in heaven].

¹¹ For in this way, you will be provided with a rich welcome into the never ending kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [i.e., in heaven]. ¹² Therefore, I intend to constantly remind you people about these things [i.e., those mentioned in verses 5-11], even though you [already] know them, and have been established in the truth you now possess.

¹² Therefore, I intend to constantly remind you people about these things [i.e., those mentioned in verses 5-11], even though you [already] know them, and have been established in the truth you now possess. ¹³ But I consider it the right thing to do, as long as I am in this “tent” [Note: This is an allusion to his still being alive], to stir up your memory [of these things], ¹⁴ knowing that [I will] soon put off my “tent” [i.e., I will soon die], even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that, after I leave [i.e., die], you will always be able to recall the things [I said to you].

¹⁹ And we have the message of the prophets [confirmed to us] as more certain [than ever]. So, you will do well to pay careful attention to it, as [you would] to a lamp in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts [Note: This probably refers to the beginning of the Gospel age, when people would become enlightened to its message]. ²⁰ Above all, [you should realize] that no prophecy of Scripture originates from a person’s own initiative [Note: This passage is discussing the source of Scripture, not the understanding of it].

²⁰ Above all, [you should realize] that no prophecy of Scripture originates from a person’s own initiative [Note: This passage is discussing the source of Scripture, not the understanding of it]. ²¹ For prophecy was never produced by the will of man, but people spoke from God, as they were carried along [i.e., inspired] by the Holy Spirit.

¹ But just as there were false prophets among the people before, there will also be false teachers among you [Christians]. They will privately teach harmful doctrines that destroy people [spiritually], by even denying [that Jesus is] the Master, [and thereby] destroying themselves quickly.

⁵ and if He did not spare the ancient world of Noah’s day, when He brought a flood on those ungodly people (though Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven other people, were saved from it);

⁹ then the Lord [surely] knows how to rescue godly people from trying situations, and to keep unrighteous people under [a sentence of] punishment [to be received] on the judgment day. ¹⁰ [This fate will come upon] those people especially who corrupt themselves with physical desires and despise being ruled by others. They are daring, self-willed, and are not afraid to speak against glorious beings [i.e., angels],

¹⁴ Their eyes are filled with sexual lust, and they are never satisfied when it comes to sinning. They entice unstable people and have hearts trained to be greedy [i.e., they continually desire the possessions of others]. [In this condition] they are under God’s curse.

¹⁸ [Although] their talk is big, what they say is worthless, and by [offering people] fleshly desires [i.e., sexual gratification], they lead people astray, who are barely escaping from the error of the world. ¹⁹ [Although] these people promise “liberty,” they themselves are slaves to corrupting influences, for people are slaves to whatever controls them. ²⁰ For if people who have escaped from the defiling practices of the world by coming to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, become tangled up in them again, and are overcome by them, these people are worse off than before they were converted.

²⁰ For if people who have escaped from the defiling practices of the world by coming to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, become tangled up in them again, and are overcome by them, these people are worse off than before they were converted. ²¹ It would have been better for them if they had not known the right way [to God] than, after knowing it, to turn back from the sacred message that had been presented to them.

²¹ It would have been better for them if they had not known the right way [to God] than, after knowing it, to turn back from the sacred message that had been presented to them. ²² It has happened to them like the true proverb [says], “The dog [throws up, and then] goes back and eats its own vomit,” and “The hog that was all cleaned up [goes back] to wallowing in the mud.”

⁷ But, by means of the same word [of God], the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, awaiting the judgment and destruction [by God], along with [its] ungodly people.

⁹ The Lord is not slow about keeping His promise, like some people are, but is [simply] being patient with you, since He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but He wants everyone to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives]. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief [i.e., unexpectedly]. At that time the heavens will pass away with a loud noise and the elements [Note: This refers either to the heavenly bodies or to the material components of the universe], will be dissolved with intense heat. And the earth and its works [i.e., its activities] will be burned up. [Note: Some translations render this phrase as it is in some ancient manuscripts, “will be disclosed,” or “will be laid bare”].

¹² [while] looking forward to, and earnestly desiring the day of God to come, when the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved by fire and the elements [See verse 10] will melt with intense heat.

¹⁵ And consider [that] the patience of the Lord means [further opportunities for] salvation, [just] as our dearly loved brother Paul also wrote to you, using the wisdom given to him by God.

¹⁸ Dear children, it is [now] the last hour [i.e., the final period of God’s dealing with people on earth], and since you have heard that an antichrist [i.e., a person who is against Christ] is coming, even now [you should be aware that] many antichrists have [already] come. This is [one way] we know that this is the last hour.

³ And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure.

⁶ We [who preach the true Gospel] represent God; the person who knows God listens to our message; the one who does not belong to God does not listen to us. This is how we can know [the difference between those speaking by] the Holy Spirit of truth and [those speaking by] the spirit of [Satan’s] error.

¹⁷ Here is what a complete love will do for us: It will give us boldness in [facing] the judgment day, because the way Jesus acts [regarding love] is the way we should act [while] in this world.

⁴ For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

⁶ And angels, who did not remain within [the bounds of] their proper authority, but left their own realm, God has kept in perpetual bondage, under [thick] darkness, awaiting judgment on the Great Day [when they will be punished]. ⁷ So also, in a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah, and their surrounding towns, which had abandoned themselves to sexual immorality and [sexually] perverted behavior, serve as an example [of people] who [will] suffer the punishment of never ending fire.

¹⁶ These people are gripers and complainers, living according to their own [evil] desires, whose mouths speak boastfully, and who show partiality [toward certain people] to gain some advantage. ¹⁷ But you dearly loved ones, you should remember the message that was previously told to you by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ for they were saying to you people, “In the last times [See I John 2:18; Heb. 1:1-2] there will be mockers [arise], who will live according to their [own] ungodly desires.”

²¹ Keep yourselves in God’s love [i.e., continue to love God], as you look forward to [receiving] the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, [who will grant you] never ending life.

²⁵ [May these qualities be attributed] to the only God and our Savior, through [the person and work of] Jesus Christ our Lord, before [the beginning of] time [as well as] now and forever. May it be so.

⁶ And He made us to be a kingdom [See 5:10] and priests [See I Pet. 2:5, 9] for [serving] His God and Father. May it be so.

⁵ So, remember where you have fallen from and repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and do the things you did at first [i.e., when you were first converted], or else I will come and remove your lampstand from its place [i.e., I will not permit the congregation to survive], unless you repent.

²¹ And I gave her time to repent, but she refused to repent of her sexual immorality.

³ So, remember how you have received and heard the message [i.e., they had eagerly accepted the Gospel]; [now] obey it and repent. For if you do not become [spiritually] alert, I will come as a thief [i.e. unexpectedly] and you will not know the [exact] time that I will come upon you [in judgment. See 2:16, 25].

¹⁴ “Write [this] to the angel of the church at Laodicia: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the source [or, ruler] of God’s creation [See John 1:3; Heb. 1:1-2]:

⁹ And they sang a new song [which went like this]: “You deserve to take the book and break the seals on it, for you were killed and, with your blood, you purchased people for God from every tribe and language and race and nation, ¹⁰ and you made them into a kingdom and a priesthood for [serving] our God, and they will rule on the earth.” ¹¹ Then I looked, and heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living beings and elders. They numbered in the tens of thousands, and thousands and thousands [more]. [Note: The Greek says “myriads of myriads”]. ¹² They were saying in a loud voice [See Note at 4:8], “The Lamb, who was killed, deserves to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and splendor and praise.” ¹³ And I heard every creature in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the ocean and everything in them, saying [See Note at 4:8], “May there be praise and honor and splendor and power forever and ever, to God who sits on His throne and to the Lamb.” ¹⁴ And the four living beings said, “May it be so.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

¹³ And the stars in the sky fell to earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a strong wind. ¹⁴ And the sky disappeared like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

¹⁵ [Note: At this point the Lord’s voice breaks into John’s vision]. (“Look, I am coming like a thief. That person is happy who stays alert and is dressed [properly], so he does not appear naked and have to be shamefully exposed”).

⁸ The beast you saw once existed, but now does not, and [yet] is about to come up out of the pit and go to [his] destruction. And those people living on the earth, whose names have not been recorded in the book of life from the creation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, because he had once existed, but now does not, and yet will come [again].

¹¹ And the beast that once existed, but now does not, is actually the eighth one [i.e., head/hill/king. See verse 9], and yet he belongs to the seven; and he will go to his destruction.

¹⁰ Then I fell down in front of him to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am [only] a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers who hold onto the testimony about Jesus. You should worship God. For the testimony about Jesus is the spirit [i.e., the purpose, or source] of prophecy.”

¹¹ Then I saw a great, white throne and Him who was seated on it [i.e., probably Christ]. Earth and heaven fled from His presence and they were not found anywhere [again].

¹ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth [had] passed away, and there was no longer any ocean.

²⁷ And there will never be anything [morally] unclean allowed to enter it, nor any person who practices disgusting behavior [i.e., probably such sins as sexual perversion], or [any person] who is a liar. But the only ones [allowed there] are those [whose names are] recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.