Chapter 3

  But be certain of this, that in the last days times of trouble will come.  

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  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, uplifted in pride, given to bitter words, going against the authority of their fathers, never giving praise, having no religion,  

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  Without natural love, bitter haters, saying evil of others, violent and uncontrolled, hating all good,  

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  False to their friends, acting without thought, lifted up in mind, loving pleasure more than God;  

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  Having a form of religion, but turning their backs on the power of it: go not with these.  

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  For these are they who go secretly into houses, making prisoners of foolish women, weighted down with sin, turned from the way by their evil desires,  

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  Ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of what is true.  

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  And as James and Jambres went against Moses, so do these go against what is true: men of evil minds, who, tested by faith, are seen to be false.  

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  But they will go no farther: for their foolish behaviour will be clear to all men, as theirs was in the end.  

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  But you took as your example my teaching, behaviour, purpose, and faith; my long waiting, my love, my quiet undergoing of trouble;  

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  My punishments and pain; the things which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; the cruel attacks made on me: and the Lord made me free from them all.  

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  Yes, and all whose purpose is to be living in the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, will be cruelly attacked.  

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  Evil and false men will become worse and worse, using deceit and themselves overcome by deceit.  

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  But see that you keep to the teaching you have been given and the things of which you are certain, conscious of who has been your teacher;  

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  And that from the time when you were a child, you have had knowledge of the holy Writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.  

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  Every holy Writing which comes from God is of profit for teaching, for training, for guiding, for education in righteousness:  

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  So that the man of God may be complete, trained and made ready for every good work.  

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