3 Above all, you must understand that in the last daysm scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.n 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?o Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”p 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s wordq the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.r 6 By these waters also the world of that times was deluged and destroyed.t 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire,u being kept for the day of judgmentv and destruction of the ungodly.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.w 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,x as some understand slowness. Instead he is patienty with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.z

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.a The heavens will disappear with a roar;b the elements will be destroyed by fire,c and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.a d