⁴ saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised?^(A) Ever since our ancestors fell asleep,^(B) all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God^(C) the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.^{(D) 6} Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded.^(E)