^{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;

^{9 Ref} the Lord is not slow in regard to the promise, as certain count slowness, but is long-suffering to us, not counselling any to be lost but all to pass on to reformation,

^{10 Ref} and it will come -- the day of the Lord -- as a thief in the night, in which the heavens with a rushing noise will pass away, and the elements with burning heat be dissolved, and earth and the works in it shall be burnt up.