3 Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days  * scoffing and following their own evil desires, 4 saying, "Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised?  * Ever since our ancestors fell asleep,  * all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation." 5 They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God  * the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.  *6 Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded.  *7 By the same word,  * the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment  * and destruction of the ungodly.