1 Know this also, that during these last days (of death in the earth) there will come perilous (dangerous) times (hard to bear).

 

2 Because men will be lovers of themselves (and the life they can gather to themselves in the world) covetous (lovers of money), boasters (that make empty claims), proud (and lifted up in their own hearts), blasphemers (who claim godliness but slander God’s name), (children will be) disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy (without reverence for what God has set apart),

 

3 Without natural affection (callous and unloving), unsatisfied (and disagreeable), false accusers (that speak the poison of asps), overindulgent (without restraint, controlled by their every whim and passion), savage (and untamable), despisers (not a lover or friend) of those things that are good (hostile toward that which God has declared as very good),

 

4 Betrayers that act rashly (falling headfirst to destruction), puffed up (blinded by pride), lovers of the pleasures (of this world) more than lovers of (the life of) God;

 

5 Having a form of godliness but denying (Christ) the power (and the wisdom) thereof: from such (men and their teachings) turn away.

 

6 For from (men of) this sort (of mindset) comes those who sneak (stealthy) into households, and lead (and take) captive idle women (overpowering those that are weak from already being) burdened (and abused) by death, led away (into captivity, bound) by all sorts of (temptation to satisfy their) lust (for life through worldly pleasures which cannot ever quench that desire),

 

7 Ever learning (and increasing in knowledge), but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (that satisfies, only found in Christ).

 

8 Now as Jan’nes and Jam’bres resisted Moses, so do these also resist (Christ, who is) the truth: men (who apart from Christ are left to reason) from crooked (carnal) minds, (that are) depraved (and perverted) concerning the faith.

 

9 But they will not advance any further (except to more ungodliness, rather the truth will prevail): because their folly (and the futility of their teaching) will be revealed (as to what it produces) for all men to see, just as theirs also was.

 

10 But you have fully known my doctrine (of Christ crucified, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world), and also my manner of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

 

11 The persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at An’ti-och, at I-co’ni-um, at Lys’tra; what great persecutions I endured: but the Lord delivered me out of them all.

 

12 Yes and all those that desire to live (looking) unto the (life and) godliness in Christ Jesus will also suffer persecution.

 

13 But (know this also that apart from Christ) evil men (those who are pressed in by labors and annoyances that come from death) and those that seduce others (leading them astray) will continue to grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

14 But you (only need to) continue in the things which you have learned (from Christ Jesus) and have been fully persuaded of, knowing the One from whom you have learned them;

 

15 And how that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are (set apart and) able to make you (perfect and) wise unto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

16 All scripture is (given and) breathed from the heart of God (our Father, containing Christ, the word and the wisdom that was from the beginning) and is (therefore) profitable for teaching (doctrine and instruction unto His life and Godlikeness), for proof (and certainty of the testimony that has been tested and tried by fire), for correcting (that which has gotten crooked), for instruction (training and chastisement that leads) unto righteousness (which is the only life the Father ever saw fitting and has promised to us His children from the beginning, the same life that came out of the grave immortal in Christ Jesus):

 

17 So that the man (born from the Word) of God (in Christ) may be perfect (and complete just as He is perfect and complete), (lacking no good thing but) thoroughly furnished with all good works (from the Father, so that we may walk with Him in the good fruit of His life forevermore).