Study Desk

But realize this, that ^(C1)in the last days difficult times will come.

For people will be ^(C1)lovers of self, ^(C2)lovers of money, ^(C3)boastful, ^(C3)arrogant, ^(C4)slanderers, ^(C3)disobedient to parents, ^(C5)ungrateful, ^(C6)unholy,

^(C1)unloving, irreconcilable, ^(C2)malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, ^(F1)(C3)haters of good,

^(C1)treacherous, ^(C2)reckless, ^(C3)conceited, ^(C4)lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

holding to a form of ^(F1)(C1)godliness although they have ^(C2)denied its power; ^(C3)avoid such people as these.

For among them are those who ^(F1)(C1)slip into households and captivate ^(F2)(C2)weak women weighed down with sins, led on by ^(C3)various impulses,

always learning and never able to ^(C1)come to the ^(F1)knowledge of the truth.

Just as ^(C1)Jannes and Jambres ^(C2)opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, ^(C3)men of depraved mind, ^(F1)worthless in regard to the faith.

But they will not make further progress; for their ^(C1)foolishness will be obvious to all, just ^(C2)as was that also of ^(F1)Jannes and Jambres.

Now you ^(C1)followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, ^(C2)love, ^(F1)perseverance,

^(C1)persecutions, and ^(C2)sufferings, such as happened to me at ^(C3)Antioch, at ^(C4)Iconium, and at ^(C5)Lystra; what ^(C6)persecutions I endured, and out of them all ^(C7)the Lord rescued me!

Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus ^(C1)will be persecuted.

But evil people and impostors ^(C1)will proceed from bad to worse, ^(C2)deceiving and being deceived.

You, however, ^(C1)continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

and that ^(C1)from childhood you have known ^(C2)the sacred writings which are able to ^(C3)give you the wisdom that leads to ^(C4)salvation through faith which is in ^(C5)Christ Jesus.

^(C1)All Scripture is ^(F1)inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for ^(F2)rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;

so that ^(C1)the man or woman of God may be ^(F1)fully capable, ^(C2)equipped for every good work.

^(C1)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to ^(C2)judge the living and the dead, and by His ^(C3)appearing and His kingdom:

preach ^(C1)the word; be ready ^(F1)in season and out of season; ^(C2)correct, rebuke, and ^(F2)exhort, with ^(F3)great ^(C3)patience and instruction.

For ^(C1)the time will come when they will not tolerate ^(C2)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,

and they ^(C1)will turn their ears away from the truth and ^(C2)will turn aside to myths.

But as for you, ^(C1)use self-restraint in all things, ^(C2)endure hardship, do the work of an ^(C3)evangelist, fulfill your ^(C4)ministry.

For I am already being ^(C1)poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^(C2)my departure has come.

^(C1)I have fought the good fight, I have finished ^(C2)the course, I have kept ^(C3)the faith;

in the future there ^(C1)is reserved for me ^(C2)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on ^(C3)that day; and not only to me, but also to ^(C4)all who have loved His ^(C5)appearing.

^(C1)Make every effort to come to me soon;

for ^(C1)Demas, having loved ^(C2)this present ^(F1)world, has deserted me and gone to ^(C3)Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to ^(F2)(C4)Galatia, ^(C5)Titus to Dalmatia.

^(C1)Only ^(C2)Luke is with me. Take along ^(C3)Mark and bring him with you, ^(C4)for he is useful to me for service.

But I have sent ^(C1)Tychicus to ^(C2)Ephesus.

When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at ^(C1)Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

^(C1)Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; ^(C2)the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our ^(F1)teaching.

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; ^(C1)may it not be counted against them.

But the Lord stood with me and ^(C1)strengthened me, so that through me ^(C2)the proclamation might ^(F1)be ^(C3)fully accomplished, and that all ^(C4)the Gentiles might hear; and I was ^(C5)rescued out of ^(C6)the lion's mouth.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will ^(F1)(C1)bring me safely to His ^(C2)heavenly kingdom; ^(C3)to ^(F2)Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet Prisca and ^(C1)Aquila, and ^(C2)the household of Onesiphorus.

^(C1)Erastus remained at ^(C2)Corinth, but I left ^(C3)Trophimus sick at ^(C4)Miletus.

^(C1)Make every effort to come before ^(C2)winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

^(C1)The Lord be with your spirit. ^(C2)Grace be with you.