especially when I reflect upon the sincerity of your faith, and the attachment your grand-mother Lois first show'd, and then your mother Eunice, examples which I am persuaded you will follow.

consider what I say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

he will renounce us likewise: tho' we are diffident, he is still faithful, and will not retract his word.

discountenance such as hold vain irreligious discourse; for they will grow bold in impiety,

and their doctrine will spread like the gangrene. Hymeneus and Philetus are such:

Take notice that in the latter days difficult incidents will arise;

for men will be selfish, avaricious, vain, proud, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful,

but they will be stop'd in their career; for they shall be expos'd to the world for impostors, as those magicians were.

and those who will live like Christians, shall generally suffer persecution.

as for these impious impostors, they will go on from bad to worse, seducing others, and deluding themselves.

for the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but get teachers of their own corrupt taste, to sooth their ears that itch for flattery:

as for me, my blood will soon be pour'd out, and the time of my departure draws nigh:

I have nothing more to do, but to receive the crown of virtue reserv'd for me, which the Lord, the just judge, will give me in that day: and not only to me, but to those also, who have long'd for his appearance.

only Luke is with me. take Mark and bring him with you; because he will be useful to me in the ministry.

and the Lord will deliver me from every malicious design, and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. to him be glory to endless ages. amen.