1 This knowe also, that in the last dayes shall come perilous times. 2 For men shalbe louers of their owne selues, couetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to parents, vnthankefull, vnholy, 3 Without naturall affection, truce breakers, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, no louers at all of them which are good, 4 Traitours, headie, high minded, louers of pleasures more then louers of God, 5 Hauing a shewe of godlinesse, but haue denied the power thereof: turne away therefore from such. 6 For of this sort are they which creepe into houses, and leade captiue simple women laden with sinnes, and led with diuers lustes, 7 Which women are euer learning, and are neuer able to come to the acknowledging of the trueth. 8 And as Iannes and Iambres withstoode Moses, so doe these also resist the trueth, men of corrupt mindes, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall preuaile no longer: for their madnesse shalbe euident vnto all men, as theirs also was. 10 But thou hast fully knowen my doctrine, maner of liuing, purpose, faith, long suffering, loue, patience, 11 Persecutions, and afflictions which came vnto me at Antiochia, at Iconium, and at Lystri, which persecutions I suffered: but from them all the Lord deliuered me. 12 Yea, and all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus, shall suffer persecution. 13 But the euill men and deceiuers, shall waxe worse and worse, deceiuing, and being deceiued. 14 But continue thou in the thinges which thou hast learned, and which are committed vnto thee, knowing of who thou hast learned them: 15 And that thou hast knowen the holy Scriptures of a childe, which are able to make thee wise vnto saluation, through the faith which is in Christ Iesus. 16 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teache, to conuince, to correct, and to instruct in righteousnesse, 17 That the man of God may be absolute, being made perfect vnto all good workes.
The Last Days
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.
Last Instructions
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.