2 Timothy 2:14–3:9

AN APPROVED WORKER

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before GodB not to fight about words.a This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.b 16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,c 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeusd and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,e and are ruining the faith of some.f 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription:g The Lord knows those who are his,C,h and let everyone who calls on the namei ofD the Lord turn away from wickedness.j

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,k but also those of wood and clay; some for honorableE use and some for dishonorable.F,l 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,G he will be a specialH instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.m

22 Fleen from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,o along with those who call on the Lordp from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’sq servant must not quarrel,r but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,I and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness.s Perhaps God will grant them repentancet leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil,u who has taken them captive to do his will.v

DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD

3 But know this: Hard times will come in the last days.w 2 For people will be lovers of self,x lovers of money,y boastful, proud,z demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,aa 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers,ab without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,ac 4 traitors,ad reckless,ae conceited,af lovers of pleasureag rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power.ah Avoid these people.ai

6 For among them are those who worm their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a variety of passions,aj 7 always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.ak 8 Just as Jannes and Jambresal resisted Moses,am so these also resist the truth. They are men who are corrupt in mindan and worthlessao in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be clear to all, as was the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres.