False Asceticism

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later^[a] times some will renounce^[b] the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,^(A)

Godlessness in the Last Days

3 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. ² For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,^{(A) 3} unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good,^{(B) 4} treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,^{(C) 5} holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! ⁶ For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate immature women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires,^{(D) 7} who are always studying yet never able to recognize truth. ⁸ As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth.^{(E) 9} But they will not make much progress because, as in the case of those two men,^[a] their folly will become plain to everyone.

False Prophets and Their Punishment

2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.^(A)

¹⁸ for they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.”^(A)

¹³ For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.^{(A) 14} And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is not strange if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end will match their deeds.^(B)

³ Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one^[a] is revealed, the one destined for destruction.^{[b](A) 4} He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.^{(B) 5} Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? ⁶ And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time comes. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed.^{(C) 8} And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus^[c] will destroy^[d] with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming.^{(D) 9} The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders,^{(E) 10} and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.^{(F) 11} For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false,^{(G) 12} so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.^(H)

³ First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts^(A)

⁴ For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into debauchery and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.^[a](A)

³ But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure^[a] devotion to Christ.^(A)