2 Timothy 3
English Standard Version
Godlessness in the Last Days
3 But understand this, that (A)in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be (B)lovers of self, (C)lovers of money, (D)proud, (E)arrogant, abusive, (F)disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 (G)heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, (H)not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, (I)swollen with conceit, (J)lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but (K)denying its power. (L)Avoid such people. 6 For among them are (M)those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to (N)arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as (O)Jannes and Jambres (P)opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, (Q)men corrupted in mind and (R)disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, (S)as was that of those two men.
All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God
10 (T)You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me (U)at Antioch, (V)at Iconium, and (W)at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet (X)from them all (Y)the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to (Z)live a godly life in Christ Jesus (AA)will be persecuted, 13 while (AB)evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and (AC)being deceived. 14 But as for you, (AD)continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom[a] you learned it 15 and how (AE)from childhood you have been acquainted with (AF)the sacred writings, (AG)which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 (AH)All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that (AI)the man of God[b] may be complete, (AJ)equipped (AK)for every good work.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:14 The Greek for whom is plural
- 2 Timothy 3:17 That is, a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
2 Timothy 3
Good News Translation
The Last Days
3 Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. 2 People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; 3 they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; 4 they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; 5 they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people. 6 Some of them go into people's houses and gain control over weak women who are burdened by the guilt of their sins and driven by all kinds of desires, 7 women who are always trying to learn but who can never come to know the truth. 8 (A)As Jannes and Jambres were opposed to Moses, so also these people are opposed to the truth—people whose minds do not function and who are failures in the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, because everyone will see how stupid they are. That is just what happened to Jannes and Jambres.
Last Instructions
10 But you have followed my teaching, my conduct, and my purpose in life; you have observed my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, 11 (B)my persecutions, and my sufferings. You know all that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the terrible persecutions I endured! But the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted; 13 and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. 14 But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, 15 and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful[a] for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, 17 so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful; or Every scripture inspired by God is also useful.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
