ܞ

III.

Now this, my beloved, the second epistle I write to you; in both of which I awaken to remembrance your fair ⁴ mind. That you may remember the words which were before spoken by the holy prophets, and the commandments of our Lord and our Saviour (delivered) by the apostles. This first know you, that there will come in the last of the days deriders who will deride, as after their own lusts they walk, and saying, Where is the promise of his advent ? for, since our fathers have slept, every thing (abideth) as from the beginning of the creation. Unknown to them is this while they are willing, that the heaven was from of old, and the earth from the waters and through the waters ⁵ subsisted, by the word of Aloha: those (waters) by which the world that then was, again (was covered) with waters, and perished. But the heaven which is now, and the earth, by his own word are set, being reserved unto fire, unto the day of judgment and the perdition of wicked men. But this one (truth) be not ignorant of, my beloved, That one day with the Lord (is) as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Not dilatory is the Lord in his promises, as some consider delay; but is patient on your account, not willing that any man should perish, but (that) every man to repentance should come.
But the day of the Lord cometh as a thief: that (day) in which the heavens suddenly 6 shall pass away, but the elements burning be dissolved, and the earth and the works that are in it be found not.
As, therefore, all these are to be dissolved, how behoveth it you to be holy in your conversation, and in the fear of Aloha; expecting and desiring the coming of the day of Aloha; that (day) in which the heavens, tried with fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements burning shall melt ?
But new heavens and earth, according to his promise, we expect; those wherein righteousness dwelleth.
Wherefore, my beloved, while these you expect, be diligent, that, without blemish and without spot, of Him you may be found in peace. And the long-suffering of the Lord consider (to be for) salvation; as also our beloved brother Paulos according to the wisdom which hath been given to him hath written to you. As in all his epistles he speaks concerning these; in which there is somewhat difficult for intelligence. Those who are not knowing nor settled pervert them, as also the remaining scriptures, to their perdition.
You therefore, my beloved, knowing this before, keep yourselves, lest, going after the error of those who are lawless, you fall from your support. But increase in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and our Saviour Jeshu Meshiha, and (of) Aloha the Father, Whose be glory both now, and in all time, and to the days eternal. Amen.

Finished is the Second Epistle of Petros the apostle.

⁴ Reyoncun shaphira.
⁵ Men mäyo, vabyad mäyo komath.
⁶ Mensheli.