章 |
3:1 |
You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come.
|
3:2 |
For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
|
3:3 |
inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good,
|
3:4 |
treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
|
3:5 |
holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!
|
3:6 |
For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires,
|
3:7 |
who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
|
3:8 |
As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth.
|
3:9 |
But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men, their folly will become plain to everyone.
|
3:10 |
Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
|
3:11 |
my persecutions and suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
|
3:12 |
Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
|
3:13 |
But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived.
|
3:14 |
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it,
|
3:15 |
and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
|
3:16 |
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
|
3:17 |
so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
|