Opposition in the Last Days
3 But understand this, that in the last days[a] hard times will come— 2 for people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 hardhearted, unforgiving, backbiting, without self-control, brutal, hating what is good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! 6 For among these are those who slip into households and deceive weak women weighed down with sins, led away by various desires, 7 always learning yet never able to come to the knowledge of truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,[b] so do these people oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and worthless concerning the faith. 9 But these people will not make any more progress—for their folly, like that of Jannes and Jambres, will be obvious to everyone.
10 You, however, closely followed my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, perseverance— 11 as well as persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And the Lord rescued me from them all! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
All Scripture Equips God’s People
14 You, however, continue in what you have learned and what you have become convinced of. For you know from whom you have learned, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise, leading to salvation through trusting in Messiah Yeshua. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God[c] and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:1 Heb. acharit ha-yamim.
- 2 Timothy 3:8 cf. Exod. 7:11-12 (Aram., Targum Jonathan).
- 2 Timothy 3:16 Or God-breathed.