1
Wapenzi, waraka huu ndio wa pili niwaandikiao ninyi; katika zote mbili naziamsha nia zenu safi kwa kuwakumbusha,
Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
2
mpate kuyakumbuka yale maneno yaliyonenwa zamani na manabii watakatifu, na ile amri ya Bwana na Mwokozi iliyoletwa na mitume wenu.
by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3
Mkijua kwanza neno hili ya kwamba katika siku za mwisho watakuja na dhihaka zao watu wenye kudhihaki, wafuatao tamaa zao wenyewe,
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4
na kusema, Iko wapi ahadi ile ya kuja kwake? Kwa maana, tangu hapo babu zetu walipolala, vitu vyote vinakaa hali iyo hiyo, tangu mwanzo wa kuumbwa.
“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”
5
Maana hufumba macho yao wasione neno hili ya kuwa zilikuwako mbingu tangu zamani, na nchi pia, imefanyizwa kutoka katika maji, na ndani ya maji, kwa neno la Mungu;
But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6
kwa hayo dunia ile ya wakati ule iligharikishwa na maji, ikaangamia.
through which the world of that time perished in the flood.
7
Lakini mbingu za sasa na nchi zimewekwa akiba kwa moto, kwa neno lilo hilo, zikilindwa hata siku ya hukumu, na ya kuangamia kwao wanadamu wasiomcha Mungu.
And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8
Lakini, wapenzi, msilisahau neno hili, kwamba kwa Bwana siku moja ni kama miaka elfu, na miaka elfu ni kama siku moja.
Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9
Bwana hakawii kuitimiza ahadi yake, kama wengine wanavyokudhani kukawia, bali huvumilia kwenu, maana hapendi mtu ye yote apotee, bali wote wafikilie toba.
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
10
Lakini siku ya Bwana itakuja kama mwivi; katika siku hiyo mbingu zitatoweka kwa mshindo mkuu, na viumbe vya asili vitaunguzwa, na kufumuliwa, na nchi na kazi zilizomo ndani yake zitateketea.
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
11
Basi, kwa kuwa vitu hivi vyote vitafumuliwa hivyo, imewapasa ninyi kuwa watu wa tabia gani katika mwenendo mtakatifu na utauwa,
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
12
mkitazamia hata ije siku ile ya Mungu, na kuihimiza; ambayo katika hiyo mbingu zitafumuliwa zikiungua, na viumbe vya asili vitateketea na kuyeyuka?
as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
13
Lakini, kama ilivyo ahadi yake, mnatazamia mbingu mpya na nchi mpya, ambayo haki yakaa ndani yake.
But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14
Kwa hiyo, wapenzi, kwa kuwa mnatazamia mambo hayo, fanyeni bidii ili mwonekane katika amani kuwa hamna mawaa wala aibu mbele yake.
Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
15
Nanyi uhesabuni uvumilivu wa Bwana wetu kuwa ni wokovu, kama vile na ndugu yetu mpenzi Paulo alivyowaandikia kwa hekima aliyopewa;
Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
16
vile vile kama katika nyaraka zake zote pia, akitoa humo habari za mambo hayo; katika nyaraka hizo yamo mambo ambayo ni vigumu kuelewa nayo; na mambo hayo watu wasio na elimu, wasio imara, huyapotoa, kama vile wayapotoavyo na maandiko mengine, kwa uvunjifu wao wenyewe.
He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17
Basi, wapenzi mkitangulia kujua hayo, jilindeni nafsi zenu, msije mkachukuliwa na kosa la hao wahalifu mkaanguka na kuuacha uthibitifu wenu.
Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
18
Lakini, kueni katika neema, na katika kumjua Bwana wetu na Mwokozi Yesu Kristo. Utukufu una yeye sasa na hata milele.
But 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.