¹¹ “Men of Galilee,”^(A) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back^(B) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,^(A) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah,^(B) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him^(C) until the time comes for God to restore everything,^(D) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.^(E)

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,^(A) and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light^(B) shining in a dark place, until the day dawns^(C) and the morning star^(D) rises in your hearts.^(E)

⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?^(A) Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”^{(B) 5} But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word^(C) the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.^{(D) 6} By these waters also the world of that time^(E) was deluged and destroyed.^{(F) 7} By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire,^(G) being kept for the day of judgment^(H) and destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.^{(I) 9} The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,^(J) as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient^(K) with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.^(L)