Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Opposition in the Last Days

3 But understand this, that in the last days^[a] hard times will come— ² for people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ hardhearted, unforgiving, backbiting, without self-control, brutal, hating what is good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! ⁶ For among these are those who slip into households and deceive weak women weighed down with sins, led away by various desires, ⁷ always learning yet never able to come to the knowledge of truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,^[b] so do these people oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and worthless concerning the faith. ⁹ But these people will not make any more progress—for their folly, like that of Jannes and Jambres, will be obvious to everyone.

¹⁰ You, however, closely followed my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, perseverance— ¹¹ as well as persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And the Lord rescued me from them all! ¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

All Scripture Equips God’s People

¹⁴ You, however, continue in what you have learned and what you have become convinced of. For you know from whom you have learned, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise, leading to salvation through trusting in Messiah Yeshua. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God^[c] and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed.

4 I solemnly charge you—in the presence of God and Messiah Yeshua, who is about to judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom— ² proclaim the Word! Be ready when it is convenient or inconvenient.^[d] Confront, rebuke, encourage—with complete patience and instruction. ³ For the time will come when they will not put up with sound instruction, but they will pile up for themselves teachers in keeping with their own desires, to have their ears tickled. ⁴ And they will turn away from hearing the truth and wander off to myths. ⁵ You, however, keep a clear mind in all things, withstand hardship, do the work of proclaiming the Good News, and fulfill your service.

Finishing the Fight, Receiving the Crown

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. ⁸ In the future there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to everyone who has longed for His appearing.

⁹ Do all you can to come to me quickly— ¹⁰ for Demas, having loved this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessolonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. ¹² I have sent Tychius to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak which I left with Carpus in Troas, along with the scrolls, and especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm—the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him too, for he vehemently opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one stood by me; instead, they all deserted me—may it not be counted against them! ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be proclaimed in full measure, and all the nations might hear—and I was rescued from the lion’s mouth! ^{[e] 18} The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will deliver me safely into His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. ²¹ Do all you can to come before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. ²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.