English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
1
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
3
without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
4
treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
6
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,
7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
7
always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
8
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.
9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
9
But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
10
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.
11
persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
13
while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
14
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
15
and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
17
so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.