Study Desk

Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.

and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.

Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.

For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.

At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me—may they not be held accountable for it.

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion's mouth!

The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.

For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God's work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections,

who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught.

Such testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith

They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.