3 “See, I am going to send my messenger,^(A) and he will clear the way before me.^(B) Then the Lord you seek^(C) will suddenly come to his temple,^(D) the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies. ² But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears?^(E) For he will be like a refiner’s fire^(F) and like launderer’s bleach.^[a](G)

⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, ⁸ when he takes vengeance with flaming fire^(A) on those who don’t know God^(B) and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.^(C)

⁷ By the same word,^(A) the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment^(B) and destruction of the ungodly.