¹ But be certain of this, that in the last days times of trouble will come.

² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, uplifted in pride, given to bitter words, going against the authority of their fathers, never giving praise, having no religion,

³ Without natural love, bitter haters, saying evil of others, violent and uncontrolled, hating all good,

⁴ False to their friends, acting without thought, lifted up in mind, loving pleasure more than God;

⁵ Having a form of religion, but turning their backs on the power of it: go not with these.

⁶ For these are they who go secretly into houses, making prisoners of foolish women, weighted down with sin, turned from the way by their evil desires,

⁷ Ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of what is true.

⁸ And as James and Jambres went against Moses, so do these go against what is true: men of evil minds, who, tested by faith, are seen to be false.

⁹ But they will go no farther: for their foolish behaviour will be clear to all men, as theirs was in the end.

¹⁰ But you took as your example my teaching, behaviour, purpose, and faith; my long waiting, my love, my quiet undergoing of trouble;

¹¹ My punishments and pain; the things which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; the cruel attacks made on me: and the Lord made me free from them all.

¹² Yes, and all whose purpose is to be living in the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, will be cruelly attacked.

¹³ Evil and false men will become worse and worse, using deceit and themselves overcome by deceit.

¹⁴ But see that you keep to the teaching you have been given and the things of which you are certain, conscious of who has been your teacher;

¹⁵ And that from the time when you were a child, you have had knowledge of the holy Writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ Every holy Writing which comes from God is of profit for teaching, for training, for guiding, for education in righteousness:

¹⁷ So that the man of God may be complete, trained and made ready for every good work.