through which have been given to us very great and precious promises, that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world in lust:

knowing that speedy is the putting off of my tabernacle, as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me.

And I will also give diligence that at all times ye may be able, after my departure, to perpetuate the remembrance of these things.

knowing this, first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of one's own interpretation;

For, if God spared not angels that sinned, but, hurling them down to Hell, delivered them up to pits of darkness, kept for judgment;

having eyes full of lustfulness, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstable souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of a curse;

It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A dog having returned to his own vomit"; and "A sow that was washed, to her wallowing in mire."

that ye remember the words spoken before by holy prophets, and the commandments of the Lord and Savior by your apostles.

Knowing this first, that there will come in the last days scoffers with scoffing, walking after their own desires,

For this escapes them willingly, that there were heavens of old, and an earth set together out of water, and through water, by the word of God:

through which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished;

But, beloved, let not this one thing escape you, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slow respecting the promise, as some account slowness; but He is long-suffering toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Seeing, therefore, that all these things are thus to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct and godliness,

Wherefore, beloved, since ye are looking for these things, give diligence that ye be found in peace, without spot and blameless in His sight.