Peter says believers are “waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” He frames this as something promised by God, following the description of the present order being dissolved. The phrase points to a future renewed creation marked by righteousness. See 2 Peter 3:13.
Because the “heavens” and “earth” as presently known are headed for dissolution, the writer asks what kind of people the readers should be now 2 Peter 3:11–13. These verses sit in the closing argument of 2 Peter, where the writer addresses skepticism about the promised “coming” and the timing of divine action. The surrounding section (3:1–10, 3:14–18) argues that delay should not be mistaken for failure, and that the coming day will arrive decisively.
The passage ties a future event to present moral reasoning: since the current “heavens” and “earth” are headed toward fiery dissolution, the writer asks what kind of people believers should be now (explicit in verse 11). The immediate answer is character and conduct described as “holy living and godliness” (explicit in verse 11).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with 2 Peter 3:13, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
13But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.