Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, according to a promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],

But shun the profane babblings; for they will go on to a higher degree of ungodliness;

in meekness instructing those opposing -- if perhaps God may give to them repentance to an acknowledging of the truth,

and they may yet come to a sober mind, and escape from the snares of the Devil, when captured by the Lord's Servant to do the will of God.

They will hold to an outward form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such people.

always learning, and never to a knowledge of truth able to come,

But they will not progress to a greater extent, for their folly will be quite evident to everyone, as also the [folly] of those [two] was.

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold,

You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry.