3:1 亲爱的兄弟阿，我现在写给你们的是第二封信。这两封都是题醒你们，激发你们诚实的心。

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

 

3:2 叫你们记念圣先知豫先所说的话，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:

 

3:3 第一要紧的，该知道在末世必有好讥诮的人，随从自己的私欲出来讥诮说，

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

 

3:4 主要降临的应许在那里呢。因为从列祖睡了以来，万物与起初创造的时候仍是一样。

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.

 

3:5 他们故意忘记，从太古凭神的命有了天，并从水而出藉水而成的地。

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:

 

3:6 故此，当时的世界被水淹没就消灭了。

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

 

3:7 但现在的天地，还是凭着那命存留，直留到不敬虔之人受审判遭沈沦的日子，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.

 

3:8 亲爱的弟兄阿，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.

 

3:9 主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沈沦，乃愿人人都悔改。

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.

 

3:10 但主的日子要像贼来到一样。那日天必大有响声废去，有形质的都要被烈火销化。地和其上的物都要烧尽了。

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.

 

3:11 这一切既都要如此销化，你们为人该当怎样圣洁，怎样敬虔，

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

 

3:12 切切仰望神的日子来到。在那日天被烧就销化了，有形质的都要被烈火熔化。

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?

 

3:13 但我们照他的应许，盼望新天新地，有义居在其中。

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

 

3:14 亲爱的弟兄阿，你们既盼望这些事，就当殷勤，使自己没有玷污，无可指摘，安然见主。

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

 

3:15 并且要以我主长久忍耐为得救的因由，就如我们所亲爱的兄弟保罗，照着所赐给他的智慧，写了信给你们。

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;

 

3:16 他一切的信上，也都是讲论这事。信中有些难明白的，那无学问不坚固的人强解，如强解别的经书一样，就自取沈沦。

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.

 

3:17 亲爱的弟兄阿，你们既然豫先知道这事，就当防备，恐怕被恶人的错谬诱惑，就从自己坚固的地步上坠落。

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.

 

3:18 你们却要在我们主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。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.