This is why I am suffering so, but I am not ashamed of it, for I know whom I have trusted and I am absolutely sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

As your example in wholesome instruction, keep before you what you learned from me, in the faith and love that come through union with Christ Jesus.

The Lord grant him to find mercy with the Lord in that day. And what services he performed at Ephesus, you know very well.

And what things thou hast heard of me, many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men, which are apt to teach others.

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

and that they will come to their senses and escape from being trapped by the devil, who had captured them to do what he wanted.

unfeeling, irreconcilable, slanderous, with no self-control, brutal, with no love for what is good,

Ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of what is true.

And as James and Jambres went against Moses, so do these go against what is true: men of evil minds, who, tested by faith, are seen to be false.

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

But you must stand by what you have learned and been convinced of, and remember from whom you learned it,

All Scripture is inspired by God, and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in doing what is right,

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 the time will come when people will not tolerate sound teaching, but will assemble to themselves teachers who will satisfy what their "itching ears" want to hear.

And shutting their ears to what is true, will be turned away to belief in foolish stories.

As to what remains, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day: and not to me only, but also to all those who have longed for his appearance.

Alexander, the metal-worker, did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he did.