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

^{4 Ref} 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 Ref} 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 Ref} through which the then world, by water having been deluged, was destroyed;

^{7 Ref} 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.

^{8 Ref} And this one thing let not be unobserved by you, beloved, that one day with the Lord `is' as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day;

^{3 Ref} Having first of all the knowledge that in the last days there will be men who, ruled by their evil desires, will make sport of holy things,

^{4 Ref} Saying, Where is the hope of his coming? From the death of the fathers till now everything has gone on as it was from the making of the world.

^{5 Ref} But in taking this view they put out of their minds the memory that in the old days there was a heaven, and an earth lifted out of the water and circled by water, by the word of God;

^{6 Ref} And that the world which then was came to an end through the overflowing of the waters.

^{7 Ref} But the present heaven and the present earth have been kept for destruction by fire, which is waiting for them on the day of the judging and destruction of evil men.

^{8 Ref} But, my loved ones, keep in mind this one thing, that with the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years are no more than one day.