1This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
1親愛的弟兄阿，我現在寫給你們的是第二封信。這兩封都是提醒你們，激發你們誠實的心，
2that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior [spoken] by your apostles.
2叫你們記念聖先知預先所說的話和主救主的命令，就是使徒所傳給你們的。
3Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with [their] mocking, following after their own lusts,
3第一要緊的，該知道在末世必有好譏誚的人隨從自己的私慾出來譏誚說：
4and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For [ever] since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.'
4「主要降臨的應許在那裡呢？因為從列祖睡了以來，萬物與起初創造的時候仍是一樣。」
5For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God [the] heavens existed long ago and [the] earth was formed out of water and by water,
5他們故意忘記，從太古，憑神的命有了天，並從水而出、藉水而成的地。
6through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
6故此，當時的世界被水淹沒就消滅了。
7But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
7但現在的天地還是憑著那命存留，直留到不敬虔之人受審判遭沉淪的日子，用火焚燒。
8But do not let this one [fact] escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
8親愛的弟兄阿，有一件事你們不可忘記，就是主看一日如千年，千年如一日。
9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
9主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
10但主的日子要像賊來到一樣。那日，天必大有響聲廢去，有形質的都要被烈火銷化，地和其上的物都要燒盡了。
11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
11這一切既然都要如此銷化，你們為人該當怎樣聖潔，怎樣敬虔，
12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
12切切仰望神的日子來到。在那日，天被火燒就銷化了，有形質的都要被烈火鎔化。
13But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
13但我們照他的應許，盼望新天新地，有義居在其中。
14Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
14親愛的弟兄阿，你們既盼望這些事，就當殷勤，使自己沒有玷污，無可指摘，安然見主；
15and regard the patience of our Lord [as] salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
15並且要以我主長久忍耐為得救的因由，就如我們所親愛的兄弟保羅，照著所賜給他的智慧寫了信給你們。
16as also in all [his] letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
16他一切的信上也都是講論這事。信中有些難明白的，那無學問、不堅固的人強解，如強解別的經書一樣，就自取沉淪。
17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
17親愛的弟兄阿，你們既然預先知道這事，就當防備，恐怕被惡人的錯謬誘惑，就從自己堅固的地步上墜落。
18but 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你們卻要在我們主─救主耶穌基督的恩典和知識上有長進。願榮耀歸給他，從今直到永遠。阿們！