3 this first knowing, that there shall come in the latter end of the days scoffers, according to their own desires going on,

4 and saying, Where is the promise of his presence? for since the fathers did fall asleep, all things so remain from the beginning of the creation;

5 for this is unobserved by them willingly, that the heavens were of old, and the earth out of water and through water standing together by the word of God,

6 through which the then world, by water having been deluged, was destroyed;

7 and the present heavens and the earth, by the same word are treasured, for fire being kept to a day of judgment and destruction of the impious men.