3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.^(A)

A Final Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching,^(A) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,^(B) Iconium^(C) and Lystra,^(D) the persecutions I endured.^(E) Yet the Lord rescued^(F) me from all of them.^{(G) 12} In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^{(H) 13} while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,^(I) deceiving and being deceived.^{(J) 14} But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(K) 15} and how from infancy^(L) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(M) which are able to make you wise^(N) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(O) and is useful for teaching,^(P) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(Q) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](R) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(S)

⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,^(A) do the work of an evangelist,^(B) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,^(C) and the time for my departure is near.^{(D) 7} I have fought the good fight,^(E) I have finished the race,^(F) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(G) the crown of righteousness,^(H) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(I)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(J)