He prophesies of the perilous times. He describes the traits of hypocrites, and tells us what they are within for all their fair faces outwardly. Persecution for the gospel.

3 This understand: in the last days, perilous times will come. ² For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy, ³ unkind, truce breakers, stubborn, false accusers, dissolute, fierce, despisers of those who are good, ⁴ traitors, wilful, high-minded, greedy for pleasures more than lovers of God, ⁵ having a similitude of godly living, but who have denied the power thereof – and from such, turn away. ⁶ Of this sort are those who enter into houses and bring into bondage women laden with sin, which women are led by divers desires and lusts, ⁷ ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

⁸ As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, even so do these resist the truth. Men they are of corrupt minds, and ignorant concerning the faith. ⁹ But they will progress no further, for their madness will be revealed to all, as theirs was.

¹⁰ But you have seen the experience of my doctrine, fashion of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience – ¹¹ and the persecutions and afflictions that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which persecutions I suffered patiently. And from them all, the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecutions. ¹³ But the evil men and deceivers will grow worse and worse, while they deceive and are deceived themselves.

¹⁴ But continue in the things that you have learned, which also were committed to you, seeing you know from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and also that from childhood you have known the holy scripture, which is able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith that is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ For all scripture given by the inspiration of God is profitable to teach, to convict, to reform, and to instruct in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be perfect and prepared for all good works.