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3 <1> Remember this: There are some terrible times coming in the last days. <2> People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud and boast about themselves. They will abuse others with insults. They will not obey their parents. They will be ungrateful and against all that is pleasing to God. <3> They will have no love for others and will refuse to forgive anyone. They will talk about others to hurt them and will have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. <4> People will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking and will be so proud of themselves. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. <5> They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that "devotion" change the way t hey live. Stay away from these people!
<6> Some of them go into homes and get control over weak women, whose lives are full of sin-women who are led into sin by all the things they want. <7> These women always want to learn something new, but they are never able to fully understand the truth. <8> Remember Jannes and Jambres,[17] the men who fought against Moses[18]? In the same way, these people fight against the truth. Their thinking has been confused. They have failed in their faith. <9> But they will not succeed in what they are trying to do. Everyone will see how foolish they are. That is what happened to Jannes and Jambres.
<10> But you know all about me. You know what I teach and the way I live. You know my goal in life. You know my faith, my patience, and my love. You know that I never stop trying. <11> You know about my persecutions[19] and my sufferings. You know all the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra-the persecution I suffered in those places. But the Lord saved me from all of it. <12> Everyone who wants to live showing true devotion to God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. <13> People who are evil and cheat others will become worse and worse. They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves.
<14> But you should continue following the teaching you learned. You know it is true, because you know you can trust those who taught you. <15> You have known the Holy Scriptures[20] since you were a child. These Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. <16> All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. <17> Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.
4 <1> Before God and Jesus Christ I give you a command. Christ Jesus is the one who will judge all people-those who are living and those who have died. He is coming again to rule in his kingdom.[21] So I give you this command: <2> Tell everyone God's message.[22] Be ready at all times to do whatever is needed. Tell people what they need to do, tell them when they are doing wrong, and encourage them. Do this with great patience and careful teaching.
<3> The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching. But people will find more and more teachers who please them. They will find teachers who say what they want to hear. <4> People will stop listening to the truth. They will begin to follow the teaching in false stories. <5> But you should control yourself at all times. When troubles come, accept them. Do the work of telling the Good News.[23] Do all the duties of a servant of God.
<6> My life is being given as an offering for God. The time has come for me to leave this life here. <7> I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. <8> Now, a prize is waiting for me-the crown[24] that will show I am approved by God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give it to me on that Day.[25] Yes, he will give it to me and to everyone else who is eagerly looking forward to his coming.
<9> Do your best to come to me as soon as you can. <10> Demas loved this world too much. That is why he left me. He went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia. And Titus went to Dalmatia. <11> Luke is the only one still with me. Get Mark and bring him with you when you come. He can help me in my work here. <12> I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
<13> When I was in Troas, I left my coat there with Carpus. So when you come, bring it to me. Also, bring my books. The books written on parchment[26] are the ones I need.
<14> Alexander the metalworker caused me so much harm. The Lord will punish him for what he did. <15> He fought against everything we teach. You should be careful that he doesn't hurt you too.
<16> The first time I defended myself, no one helped me. Everyone left me. I pray that God will forgive them. <17> But the Lord stayed with me. The Lord gave me strength so that I could tell the Good News[27] everywhere. He wanted all those who are not Jews to hear that Good News. So I was saved from the lion's mouth. <18> The Lord will save me when anyone tries to hurt me. He will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory[28] forever and ever be the Lord's. Amen.[29]
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.