1. This, now, beloved, a second letter to you I write, in both which I stir up your pure mind in reminding [you],
2. to be mindful of the sayings said before by the holy prophets, and of the command of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour,
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;