^{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.