Chapter 3

1  But this know, that in the last days difficult times shall be there; 2  for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane, 3  without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, of unsubdued passions, savage, having no love for what is good, 4  traitors, headlong, of vain pretensions, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5  having a form of piety but denying the power of it: and from these turn away. 6  For of these are they who are getting into houses, and leading captive silly women, laden with sins, led by various lusts, 7  always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8  Now in the same manner in which Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, thus these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, found worthless as regards the faith. 9  But they shall not advance farther; for their folly shall be completely manifest to all, as that of those also became.

10  But thou hast been thoroughly acquainted with my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, endurance, 11  persecutions, sufferings: what sufferings happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra; what persecutions I endured; and the Lord delivered me out of all. 12  And all indeed who desire to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13  But wicked men and juggling impostors shall advance in evil, leading and being led astray. 14  But thou, abide in those things which thou hast learned, and of which thou hast been fully persuaded, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15  and that from a child thou hast known the sacred letters, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16  Every scripture is divinely inspired, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; 17  that the man of God may be complete, fully fitted to every good work.