2 Timothy 3–4

Godlessness in the Last Days

³You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. ²For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,^{* 3}unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good,^{* 4}treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,^{* 5}holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! ⁶For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate immature women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires,^{* 7}who are always studying yet never able to recognize truth. ⁸As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth.^{* 9}But they will not make much progress because, as in the case of those two men,^o their folly will become plain to everyone.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

¹⁰Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,^{* 11}my persecutions, and my sufferings, the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.^{* 12}Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.^{* 13}But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived.^{* 14}But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is^p useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,^{* 17}so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.^*

⁴In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:^{* 2}proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.^{* 3}For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires^{* 4}and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.^*

⁶As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come.^{* 7}I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.^{* 8}From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^*

Personal Instructions

⁹Do your best to come to me soon, ¹⁰for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia,^q Titus to Dalmatia.^{* 11}Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in ministry.^{* 12}I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. ¹⁴Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds.^{* 15}You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.

¹⁶At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! ¹⁷But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.^{* 18}The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.^*

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹⁹Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰Erastus remained in Corinth; Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. ²¹Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

²²The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.^r