The Lord puts not off the solemn promise, as some deem slowness; but is lonsuffering to us, not willing any to perish, but all should have room for repentance.
For yet the vision for the appointment, and it shall breathe to the end, and it shall not lie: if it shall delay, wait for it; for coming, it will come; and it shall not delay.
And for this Jehovah will wait to compassionate you, and for this he will be lifted up to pity you, for Jehovah is a God of judgment: happy all they waiting for him.
But for this was I commiserated, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a model to them about to believe on him to eternal life.
And if God, willing anger to be shown, and his power to be made known, endured in much long suffering the vessels of anger put in proper order for destruction:
They having been once unbelieving, when the longsuffering of God waited in Noah's days, the ark being prepared, in which few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
And Jehovah spake to Moses face to face, as a man will speak to his friend. And he turned back to the camp; and his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not from the midst of the tent.
Say to them, I live, says the Lord Jehovah, if I shall delight in the death of the unjust; but in the turning back of the unjust one from his way, and he lived: turn back, turn back from your evil ways: and wherefore will ye die, O house of Israel?
(By which the greatest and precious promises are bestowed upon us: that by these ye might be having escaped from the corruption in the world through eager desires.)