Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in accordance with the promise of the life that comes through union with Christ Jesus,

The things you learned from me before many witnesses you must commit to trustworthy men who will be competent to teach others too.

Keep on thinking about what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding of it in all its phases.

This message is to be trusted: "If we indeed have died with Him, we will live with Him too.

"If we patiently endure, we will reign with Him too. If we disown Him, He will disown us too.

and their message will spread like a cancer; men like Hymenaeus and Philetus,

So if a man will cleanse himself from these things, he will be an instrument for honorable uses, consecrated, useful for the Master, and ready for any good service.

and they might recover their senses and escape from the devil's trap in which they have been caught by him to do his will.

For people will be selfish, avaricious, boastful, haughty, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreverent,

But they will not make any more progress, for their folly will be evident to everybody, as theirs was.

Yes, indeed, everyone who wants to live a godly life as a follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But bad men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, misleading others and misled themselves.

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,

and they will cease to listen to the truth and will turn to listen to myths.

Now the crown for doing right awaits me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day, and not only me but also all who have loved His appearing.

Alexander, a worker in metal, did me ever so much harm. The Lord will repay him for what he did.

The Lord will rescue me from every wicked work and save me to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.