²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.^{(A) 21} Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.^(B)

²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^(C) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^(D) out of a pure heart.^{(E) 23} Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.^{(F) 24} And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^{(G) 25} Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(H) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(I) who has taken them captive to do his will.

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.^{(J) 2} People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,^(K) boastful, proud,^(L) abusive,^(M) disobedient to their parents,^(N) ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous,^(O) rash, conceited,^(P) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness^(Q) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.^(R)