Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, for proclaiming the promise of the Life which is in Christ Jesus:

Mark well what I am saying: the Lord will give you discernment in everything.

"If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us;

But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety,

and their teaching will spread like a running sore. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men of that stamp.

If therefore a man keeps himself clear of these latter, he himself will be for specially honourable use, consecrated, fit for the Master's service, and fully equipped for every good work.

He must speak in a gentle tone when correcting the errors of opponents, in the hope that God will at last give them repentance, for them to come to a full knowledge of the truth

and recover sober-mindedness and freedom from the Devil's snare, though they are now entrapped by him to do his will.

But of this be assured: in the last days grievous times will set in.

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, profane. They will be disobedient to parents, thankless, irreligious,

destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness,

treacherous, headstrong, self-important. They will love pleasure instead of loving God,

and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance of its power. Turn away from people of this sort.

But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses came to be.

And indeed every one who is determined to live a godly life as a follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But bad men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.

For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled, they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies;

and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside to fables.

From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who love the thought of His Appearing.

Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me: the Lord will requite him according to his doings.

The Lord will deliver me from every cruel attack and will keep me safe in preparation for His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the glory until the Ages of the Ages! Amen.