From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.

Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules.

Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.

This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him.

If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,

and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth

and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will.

But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.

Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.

Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day -- and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.

Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.

The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.