[1] second epistle, beloved, now write in both which I stir up pure minds by way of remembrance: [2] of the words by the holy prophets, and of the commandment the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [3] Knowing first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [5] For they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.