[1] But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of
stress. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud,
arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3]
inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, [4]
treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God, [5] holding the form of religion but denying the power of
it. Avoid such people. [6] For among them are those who make their way into
households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and swayed by various
impulses, [7] who will listen to anybody and can never arrive at a
knowledge of the truth. [8] As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these
men also oppose the truth, men of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith; [9]
but they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as
was that of those two men. [10] Now you have observed my teaching, my
conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
[11] my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at
Ico'nium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the
Lord rescued me. [12] Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evil men and impostors will go on from
bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. [14] But as for you, continue in what
you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
[15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred
writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus. [16] All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
[17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
