1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1Here is what I want you to know. There will be terrible times in the last days.2People will love themselves. They will love money. They will boast and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won’t be thankful or holy.3They won’t love others. They won’t forgive others. They will tell lies about people. They will be out of control. They will be wild. They will hate what is good.4They will turn against their friends. They will act without thinking. They will think they are better than others. They will love what pleases them instead of loving God.5They will act as if they were serving God. But what they do will show that they have turned their backs on God’s power. Have nothing to do with these people.6They are the kind who trick their way into the homes of some women. These women are ready to believe anything. And they take control over these women. These women are loaded down with sins. They give in to all kinds of evil desires.7They are always learning. But they are never able to come to know the truth.8Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. In the same way, the teachers I’m talking about oppose the truth. Their minds are twisted. As far as the faith is concerned, God doesn’t accept them.9They won’t get very far. Just like Jannes and Jambres, their foolish ways will be clear to everyone.
Paul gives a final command to Timothy
10But you know all about my teaching. You know how I live and what I live for. You know about my faith and love. You know how patient I am. You know I haven’t given up.11You know that I was treated badly. You know that I suffered greatly. You know what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. You know how badly I have been treated. But the Lord saved me from all my troubles.12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be treated badly.13Evil people and pretenders will go from bad to worse. They will fool others, and others will fool them.14But I want you to continue to follow what you have learned and are sure about. You know the people you learned it from.15You have known the Holy Scriptures ever since you were a little child. They are able to teach you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus.16God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right.17By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.