³ By faith we understand that the ^[a](A)world has been created ^(B)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(C)has not been made out of things that are visible.

⁵ For ^[a]when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that ^(A)by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was ^(B)formed out of water and by water, ⁶ through which ^(C)the world at that time was ^(D)destroyed by being flooded with water. ⁷ But by His word ^(E)the present heavens and earth are being reserved for ^(F)fire, kept for ^(G)the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.