2 Peter 3

1 Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking

1 亲爱的弟兄姊妹，我现在写给你们的是第二封信。这两封信都是为了提醒你们，激励你们保持真诚的心，

2 by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

2 叫你们记得从前圣先知们说的预言，以及我们的主和救主借使徒传给你们的诫命。

3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

3 最重要的是，你们要知道，末世必出现冷嘲热讽、放纵自己邪情私欲的人。他们说：

4 “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.”

4 “主要降临的应许在哪里？从我们的祖先长眠地下直到现在，万物依旧与创世之初一样。”

5 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,

5 他们故意忽略：太初，上帝凭口中的话语创造了诸天，并借着水从水中造出了地；

6 through which the world of that time perished in the flood.

6 后来，那个世界被水淹没而毁灭了。

7 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.

7 现在的天地同样是凭上帝的话语保留到被火焚烧的日子，就是不敬虔的人被审判和毁灭的日子。

8 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

8 亲爱的弟兄姊妹，有一件事你们不可忽略，就是主看一日如千年，千年如一日。

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

9 主的应许还未实现，有人以为祂拖延，其实祂不是拖延，而是在宽容你们。祂不愿任何人灭亡，愿意人人都悔改。

10 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.

10 不过，主的日子会像贼一样突然临到。那日，诸天必在一声巨响中消失，有形有质的都要被烈火熔化，大地和其中的一切将不复存在。

11 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

11–12 既然一切都要这样被熔化，你们在热切等候上帝的日子来临期间，该过怎样圣洁、敬虔的生活啊！因为到那日，天要被火焚毁，有形有质的都要被烈火熔化。

12 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 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

13 但我们等候的是上帝应许的新天新地，有公义住在其中。

14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.

14 所以，亲爱的弟兄姊妹，你们既然盼望这些事，就当努力使自己在主面前毫无瑕疵，无可指责，安然无惧。

15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.

15 你们要把我们主的宽容看作是让众人得救的机会，正如我们亲爱的弟兄保罗按着上帝赐给他的智慧写信告诉你们的。

16 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.

16 他所有的书信都谈到这些事。一些不学无术、反复无常的人曲解了信中一些难懂的地方，就像曲解其他经文一样，他们是自取灭亡。

17 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.

17 因此，亲爱的弟兄姊妹，你们既然预先知道了这些事，就应该小心谨慎，不要让那些不法之徒用错谬的理论引诱你们，使你们失去原本坚定的立场。

18 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.

18 相反，你们要在我们的主和救主耶稣基督的恩典中不断长进，越来越认识祂。 愿荣耀归给祂，从现在直到永远。阿们！