Perilous Times and Perilous Men

But know this, that (A)in the last days [a]perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, (B)traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (C)having a form of godliness but (D)denying its power. And (E)from such people turn away! For (F)of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able (G)to come to the knowledge of the truth. (H)Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: (I)men of corrupt minds, (J)disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, (K)as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

10 (L)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me (M)at Antioch, (N)at Iconium, (O)at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And (P)out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and (Q)all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 (R)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must (S)continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known (T)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 (U)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, (V)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 (W)that the man of God may be complete, (X)thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

I (Y)charge you [d]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, (Z)who will judge the living and the dead [e]at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. (AA)Convince, (AB)rebuke, (AC)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (AD)For the time will come when they will not endure (AE)sound doctrine, (AF)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and (AG)be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, (AH)endure afflictions, do the work of (AI)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

For (AJ)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (AK)my departure is at hand. (AL)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me (AM)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous (AN)Judge, will give to me (AO)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 3:1 times of stress
  2. 2 Timothy 3:3 irreconcilable
  3. 2 Timothy 3:16 training, discipline
  4. 2 Timothy 4:1 NU omits therefore
  5. 2 Timothy 4:1 NU and by

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