Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Difficult Times Ahead in the Last Days

3 But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come, ² for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ hardhearted, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, savage, with no interest for what is good, ⁴ traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God, ⁵ maintaining a form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid these people. ⁶ For from these are those who slip into houses and captivate foolish women loaded down with sins, led by various kinds of desires, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ And just as^[a] Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, people corrupted in mind, disqualified concerning the faith. ⁹ But they will not progress to a greater extent, for their folly will be quite evident to everyone, as also the folly of those two was.

The Value of the Scriptures

¹⁰ But you have faithfully followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra, what sort of persecutions I endured, and the Lord delivered me from all of them. ¹² And indeed, all those who want to live in a godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and imposters will progress to the worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you continue in the things which you have learned and are convinced of, because you^[b] know from whom you learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the holy writings that are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom, ² preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and instruction. ³ For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound teaching, but in accordance with their own desires, they will accumulate for themselves teachers, because they have an insatiable curiosity^[c], ⁴ and they will turn away from the hearing of the truth, but will turn to myths. ⁵ But you, be self-controlled in all things, bear hardship patiently, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is imminent. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Final Instructions to Timothy

⁹ Make haste to come to me quickly. ¹⁰ For Demas deserted me, because he^[d] loved the present age, and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia; Titus went to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Luke alone is with me. Take along Mark and^[e] bring him with you, because he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you^[f] come, bring the cloak that I left behind in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did me much harm; may the Lord pay back to him according to his deeds, ¹⁵ against whom you also be on guard, because he vehemently opposed our words. ¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my aid, but they all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued me from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom, to whom be the glory forever and ever^[g]. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind in Miletus because he^[h] was sick. ²¹ Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers greet you. ²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.