3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.^{(A) 2} People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,^(B) boastful, proud,^(C) abusive,^(D) disobedient to their parents,^(E) ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous,^(F) rash, conceited,^(G) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness^(H) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.^(I)

⁶ They are the kind who worm their way^(J) into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(K) 8} Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,^(L) so also these teachers oppose^(M) the truth. They are men of depraved minds,^(N) who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,^(O) their folly will be clear to everyone.

A Final Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching,^(P) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,^(Q) Iconium^(R) and Lystra,^(S) the persecutions I endured.^(T) Yet the Lord rescued^(U) me from all of them.^{(V) 12} In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^{(W) 13} while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,^(X) deceiving and being deceived.^{(Y) 14} But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(Z) 15} and how from infancy^(AA) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(AB) which are able to make you wise^(AC) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(AD) and is useful for teaching,^(AE) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(AF) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](AG) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(AH)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(AI) and in view of his appearing^(AJ) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(AK) 2} Preach^(AL) the word;^(AM) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(AN) and encourage^(AO)—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(AP) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.^{(AQ) 4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.^{(AR) 5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,^(AS) do the work of an evangelist,^(AT) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,^(AU) and the time for my departure is near.^{(AV) 7} I have fought the good fight,^(AW) I have finished the race,^(AX) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(AY) the crown of righteousness,^(AZ) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(BA)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(BB)

Personal Remarks

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly,^{(BC) 10} for Demas,^(BD) because he loved this world,^(BE) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.^(BF) Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(BG) and Titus^(BH) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(BI) is with me.^(BJ) Get Mark^(BK) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus^(BL) to Ephesus.^{(BM) 13} When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,^(BN) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

¹⁴ Alexander^(BO) the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.^{(BP) 15} You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.^{(BQ) 17} But the Lord stood at my side^(BR) and gave me strength,^(BS) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.^(BT) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.^{(BU) 18} The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack^(BV) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.^(BW) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(BX)

Final Greetings

¹⁹ Greet Priscilla^[b] and Aquila^(BY) and the household of Onesiphorus.^{(BZ) 20} Erastus^(CA) stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus^(CB) sick in Miletus.^{(CC) 21} Do your best to get here before winter.^(CD) Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.^[c]

²² The Lord be with your spirit.^(CE) Grace be with you all.^(CF)