²⁰ It was these who long ago lived in disobedience while God waited patiently as Noah was building the ark. At that time, only a tiny band—eight people—was spared from the flood.

²¹ The water through which the ark safely passed symbolizes now the ceremonial washing through baptism^[a] that initiates you into salvation. You are saved not because it cleanses your body of filth but because of your appeal to God from a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King. ²² Now He has entered heaven and sits at the right hand of God as heavenly messengers and authorities and powers submit to His supremacy.