2 Timothy 3

1 But understand [know and recognize] this: In the last [last and final] days [of human history, the end times] terrible [harsh, grievous, perilous] times [seasons of great trouble and danger] will come [be present, arrive]. word study 2 For men will be lovers of themselves [selfish, self-centered], lovers of money [covetous, materialistic], boastful [braggarts], arrogant [proud, haughty], abusive [blasphemers, evil-speakers], disobedient to their parents [unsubmissive, rebellious], ungrateful [unthankful, without praise], unholy [wicked, without God], word study 3 unloving [without natural affection, hard-hearted], unforgiving [implacable, irreconcilable], slanderous [false accusers, devilish], without self-control [intemperate, lacking restraint], brutal [fierce, savage], without love of good [hating good, hostile to virtue], word study 4 traitorous [betrayers of others], reckless [headstrong, acting without thought], conceited [puffed up with pride, full of self-importance], lovers of pleasure [sensual desires, earthly delights] rather than lovers of God [those who are fond of God, pious and devoted], word study 5 having a form [outward appearance, mere semblance] of godliness [piety, reverence for God] but denying [rejecting, saying no to] its power [divine strength, miraculous ability]. Turn away [avoid, turn from] from such [these people, individuals like these] as these [who hold this form of godliness]! word study 6 They are the kind who [sneak into, creep] worm their way into households and [take control of, lead captive] captivate vulnerable [weak-willed, foolish] women who are [overwhelmed, weighed down] weighed down with sins [transgressions, lawlessness] and led astray [away from the truth, deceived] by various [diverse] passions [strong desires, lusts], word study 7 who are always [at all times, continually] learning [gaining knowledge, understanding] but never [not at any time] able [having the power or capability] to come [to arrive, to reach] to a knowledge [deep understanding, recognition] of the truth [reality, accuracy]. word study 8 Just as Jannes [an Egyptian magician] and Jambres [who opposed Moses] opposed Moses, so also these men [depraved individuals] oppose the truth [reality of God’s word]. They are depraved [completely ruined] in mind [intellect and understanding] and disqualified [rejected as worthless] from the faith [trust and confidence in God]. word study 9 But they will not advance [proceed, make progress] much further [any farther, to a greater extent]. For just like [as, in the same way as] Jannes and Jambres, their folly [stupidity, foolish behavior] will be [become, come to be] plain [clearly evident, manifest] to everyone [all men, every person]. word study 10 You, however, have observed my [instruction, doctrine] teaching, my [manner of life, self-conduct] conduct, my [plan, intention] purpose, my [trust, faithfulness] faith, my [longsuffering, patient endurance] patience, my [unconditional, divine] love, my [steadfast, enduring] perseverance, word study 11 my persecutions [sufferings, afflictions], and the sufferings [hardships, trials] that came upon me in Antioch [a city in Syria], Iconium [a city in Asia Minor], and Lystra [a city where Paul preached]. What persecutions [cruel attacks, unjust treatments] I endured [bore, tolerated]! Yet the Lord [God, the Savior] rescued [delivered, saved] me from all [every, each one] of them. word study 12 Indeed, all [every single one, without exception] who desire [intentionally choose, have a strong inclination] to live [exist, have life] godly [piously, in a manner that pleases God] lives [lives devoted to God] in [through, in union with] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] Jesus [God’s salvation] will be persecuted [suffer persecution, face cruel attacks], word study 13 while evil [morally wrong, wicked] men and imposters [deceivers, seducers] go from bad [worse and worse, more evil] to worse [more harmful, corrupt], deceiving [leading astray, tricking] and being deceived [led astray, misled]. word study 14 But as for you, continue [abide, remain steadfast] in the things you have learned [been taught, come to understand] and firmly believed [been assured of, have confidence in], since you know [are aware, have perception] from whom [which person, what source] you have learned [received knowledge, been instructed] them. word study 15 From infancy [from a child, as a babe] you have known the Holy Scriptures [sacred writings, the sacred Writings], which are able [have power, capable] to make you wise [instruct, teach] for salvation [rescue, safety] through faith [trust, confidence] in Christ Jesus [the anointed One, the Messiah]. word study 16 All [every, complete] Scripture [holy Writing, God’s Word] is God-breathed [inspired by God, given by inspiration] and is useful [valuable, profitable] for instruction [teaching, doctrine], for conviction [reproof, rebuke], for correction [setting aright, reforming], and for training [education, discipline] in righteousness [living according to God’s will, justice], word study 17 so that the man [a human, servant] of God [the one true deity] may be complete [perfect], fully equipped [thoroughly furnished, trained] for every [all, each] good [beneficial, righteous] work [task, occupation, act]. word study