3:1 Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written 1 you, in which 2 I am trying to stir up 3 your pure mind by way of reminder: 3:2 I want you to recall 4 both 5 the predictions 6 foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. 7 3:3 Above all, understand this: 8 In the last days blatant scoffers 9 will come, being propelled by their own evil urges 10 3:4 and saying, 11 “Where is his promised return? 12 For ever since 13 our ancestors 14 died, 15 all things have continued as they were 16 from the beginning of creation.” 3:5 For they deliberately suppress this fact, 17 that by the word of God 18 heavens existed long ago and an earth 19 was formed out of water and by means of water. 3:6 Through these things 20 the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. 3:7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 21