⁵ For when they maintain this , it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water ,

⁵ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

⁵ For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;