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

2For 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,

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

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

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

6For 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,

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

8And 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.

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

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

11My 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.

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

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

14But 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;

15And 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.

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

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