be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,

An outline, have thou, of healthful discourses which from me thou hast heard - with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus:

This thou know, that all those in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

and what you heard me deliver in the presence of many, intrust to such persons of integrity as are qualified to instruct others

Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

It is a faithful saying: For if we are dead with him, we shall also live with him:

if we are patient, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot prove false to Himself."

Remind others about these things, and warn them before God not to argue over words. Arguing does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening.

Do your best to present yourself as a worker who is approved by God [and] does not have to be ashamed, [because you are] accurately handling [i.e., explaining] the message of truth.

and their word will have a feeding field like gangrene, of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

who have missed the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken place, are undermining some people's faith.

Nevertheless the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, Lord knows those who are his, and, Let every man who names the name of Lord keep away from unrighteousness.

In any great house there are not only gold and silver articles but also wooden utensils, some for honorable uses and some for lowly uses.

But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a clean heart.

And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.

correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, [seeing] whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth,

and they may come to their senses again, and escape the snare of the devil, as they are restored to life by God to do his will.

Now you must know that in the last days there are going to be hard times.

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

For some of them practice going into people's houses and capturing weak and silly women who are overwhelmed with the weight of their sins, who are easily led about by all sorts of evil impulses,

who are always trying to learn but never able to come to a full knowledge of the truth.

Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, these people resist the truth, for they are depraved in mind and so counterfeits in the faith.

As for me, you are perfectly acquainted with my doctrine, my conduct, my designs, my temper, my benevolence, my constancy,

Yea and, all who are determined to live in a godly manner in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted;

But the evil men and deceivers, shall wax worse and worse, while they deceive, and are deceived themselves.

But 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;

And that from a babe thou have known the sacred writings, which are able to make thee wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue;

In the presence of God and the Messiah Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you

preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.

For a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome teaching, but to gratify their own evil desires will surround themselves with teachers who teach to gratify their own evil desires, because their ears are itching so to be tickled,

which, while they are deaf to the truth, attentively listen to fables.

The last drops of my own sacrifice are falling; my time to go has come.