Genesis 6:1, 3-8, 12-15, 17-19

When people began to populate the earth, they had many lovely daughters.

YAHWEH said, “My Spirit will not strive with humanity indefinitely, for they are mortal. Their life span will be shortened to only one hundred and twenty years.” Back then, and later, there were giants on the earth, who were born as a result of the unholy union of heavenly beings with the human daughters. They were the mighty ones of old, warriors of renown. But YAHWEH saw how extremely wicked humanity had become, for they imagined only evil, for all they thought about was doing evil all the time. And YAHWEH was saddened that he had made humanity, and his heart was filled with pain. So YAHWEH decided, “I will do away with my ruined creation—human beings that I created—people and animals, creeping things and flying birds, for it breaks my heart that I made them!” But one man discovered grace before the face of YAHWEH: Noah.

for he saw how debased the world had become, for everyone was corrupt to the core. So God said to Noah, “I have decided that all living creatures must die, for their violence has filled the earth, and I will wipe them off the face of the earth! Build a boat for yourself—an ark of sturdy timber. And this is how you are to design it: make separate compartments within it, and seal it inside and out with thick tar. The length is to be 450 feet, its width 75 feet, and its height 45 feet.

I am going to release a great flood that will destroy all life upon the earth, and every breathing thing under heaven will perish—everything on earth will die. But as for you, I will establish my covenant of friendship, and you will escape destruction by coming into the ark, you and your wife, your sons and their wives. Bring with you into the ark a pair of every animal, male and female; and they will also be spared.