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[1] But this know thou, that in the latter days hard times will come:
[2] and men will be lovers of themselves, and lovers of money, boasters, proud, censorious, unyielding towards their own people, denyers of grace, wicked,
[3] calumniators, addicted to concupiscence, ferocious, haters of the good,
[4] treacherous, rash, inflated, attached to pleasure more than to the love of God,
[5] having a form of respect for God, but wide from the power of God. Them who are such, repel from thee.
[6] For of them are they who creep into this and that house, and captivate the women who are plunged in sins and led away by divers lusts,
[7] who are always learning, and can never come to the knowledge of the truth.
[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also do these withstand the truth: men whose mind is corrupted, and [they] reprobates from the faith.
[9] But they will not make progress, for their infatuation will be understood by every one, as theirs also was understood.
[10] But thou hast followed after my doctrine, and my manner of life, and my aims, and my faith, and my long suffering, and my love, and my patience,
[11] and my persecution, and my sufferings. And thou knowest what I endured at Antioch, and at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecution I endured: and from all these my Lord delivered me.
[12] And likewise all, who choose to live in the fear of God, in Jesus the Messiah, will be persecuted.
[13] But evil and seducing men will add to their wickedness, while they deceive and are deceived.
[14] But continue thou in the things thou hast learned and been assured of; for thou knowest from whom thou learnedst;
[15] because from thy childhood, thou wast taught the holy books, which can make thee wise unto life, by faith in Jesus the Messiah.
[16] All scripture that was written by the Spirit, is profitable for instruction, and for confutation, and for correction, and for erudition in righteousness;
[17] that the man of God may become perfect, and complete for every good work.
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