3  knowing this first, that there shall come at the close of the days mockers with mocking, walking according to their own lusts, 4  and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for from the time the fathers fell asleep all things remain thus from the beginning of the creation. 5  For this is hidden from them through their own wilfulness, that heavens were of old, and an earth, having its subsistence out of water and in water, by the word of God, 6  through which waters the then world, deluged with water, perished. 7  But the present heavens and the earth by his word are laid up in store, kept for fire unto a day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8  But let not this one thing be hidden from you, beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9  The Lord does not delay his promise, as some account of delay, but is longsuffering towards you, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.