[1] Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. [2] People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; [3] they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; [4] they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; [5] they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people. [6] Some of them go into people's houses and gain control over weak women who are burdened by the guilt of their sins and driven by all kinds of desires, [7] women who are always trying to learn but who can never come to know the truth. [8] As Jannes and Jambres were opposed to Moses, so also these people are opposed to the truth-people whose minds do not function and who are failures in the faith. [9] But they will not get very far, because everyone will see how stupid they are. That is just what happened to Jannes and Jambres. [10] But you have followed my teaching, my conduct, and my purpose in life; you have observed my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, [11] my persecutions, and my sufferings. You know all that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the terrible persecutions I endured! But the Lord rescued me from them all. [12] Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted; [13] and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. [14] But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, [15] and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, [17] so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
