彼得後書 第 3 章

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

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

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。」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.

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。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:

⁶故此，當時的世界被水淹沒就消滅了。Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

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。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.

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。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.

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。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.

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。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.

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

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。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?

¹³但我們照他的應許，盼望新天新地，有義居在其中。Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

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

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。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;

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。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.

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。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.

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！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.