| 1But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. | 1But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. |
| 2For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, | 2For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, |
| 3unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, | 3unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, |
| 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. | 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. |
| 5They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. | 5They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. |
| 6For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions. | 6For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions. |
| 7Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. | 7Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. |
| 8And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people--who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith--also oppose the truth. | 8And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people--who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith--also oppose the truth. |
| 9But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres. | 9But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres. |
| 10You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, | 10You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, |
| 11as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all. | 11as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all. |
| 12Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | 12Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. |
| 13But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. | 13But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. |
| 14You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you | 14You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you |
| 15and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. | 15and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. |
| 16Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, | 16Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, |
| 17that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. | 17that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. |
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