[1] But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, [4] traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! [6] They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, [7] who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. [8] Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. [9] But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone. [10] You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, [11] my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. [12] Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. [14] But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. [15] From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
