Dual Panel1BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress {and} trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
2For people will be lovers of self {and} [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money {and} aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud {and} arrogant {and} contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy {and} profane.
3[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate {and} loose in morals {and} conduct, uncontrolled {and} fierce, haters of good.
4[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures {and} vain amusements more than {and} rather than lovers of God.
5For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny {and} reject {and} are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
6For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly {and} weak-natured {and} spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with [the burden of their] sins [and easily] swayed {and} led away by various evil desires {and} seductive impulses.
7[These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring {and} getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition {and} knowledge of the Truth.
8Now just as Jannes and Jambres were hostile to {and} resisted Moses, so these men also are hostile to {and} oppose the Truth. They have depraved {and} distorted minds, and are reprobate {and} counterfeit {and} to be rejected as far as the faith is concerned.
9But they will not get very far, for their rash folly will become obvious to everybody, as was that of those [magicians mentioned].
10Now you have closely observed {and} diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
11Persecutions, sufferings--such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Indeed all who delight in piety {and} are determined to live a devoted {and} godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].
13But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving {and} leading astray others and being deceived {and} led astray themselves.
14But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them],
15And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of {and} been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you {and} give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].
16Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof {and} conviction of sin, for correction of error {and} discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action),
17So that the man of God may be complete {and} proficient, well fitted {and} thoroughly equipped for every good work.