1 But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural
affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers
of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power
thereof. Turn away from these, also. 6 For of these are those who creep
into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away
by various lusts, 7 always learning, and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth. 8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do
these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the
faith. 9 But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident
to all men, as theirs also came to be. 10 But you did follow my teaching,
conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 11 persecutions,
and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and
Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you remain in the things which you
have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned
them. 15 From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able
to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
16 Every writing inspired by God*1 is
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction
which is in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 literally, God-breathed
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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