Study to shew thyself laudable unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth justly. Unghostly and vain voices pass over. For they shall increase unto greater ungodliness, and their words shall fret even as doth a cancre: of whose number is Hymeneos and Philetos, which as concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past all ready, and do destroy the faith of diverse persons.
But the sure ground of God remaineth, and hath this seal: the lord knoweth them that are his, and let every man that calleth on the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. Notwithstanding in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver: but also of wood and of earth: Some for honour, and some unto dishonour. If a man purge himself from such fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour meet for the lord, and prepared unto all good works.
Lusts of youth avoid, and follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with them that call on the lord with pure heart. Foolish and unlearned questions put from thee, remembering that they do but make strife. But the servant of the lord must not strive: but must be peaceable unto all men, and ready to teach, and one that can suffer the evil in meekness, and can inform them that resist, if that God at any time will give them repentance for to know the truth: that they may wake out of sleep again, out of the snare of the devil, which are now taken of him at his will.
The .iij. Chapter.
This understand, that in the last days shall come parlous times: For the men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy, churlish, stubborn, false accusers, rioters, fierce, despisers of them which are good, traitors, heady, high minded, greedy upon voluptuousness more than the lovers of God, having a similitude of godly living, but have denied the power there of. Such abhor. For of this sort are they which enter into houses, and bring into bondage women laden with sin, which women are led of divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
As Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses, even so do these resist the truth, men they are of corrupt minds, and lewd as concerning the faith: but they shall prevail no longer. For their madness shall be uttered unto all men as theirs was: but thou hast seen the experience of my doctrine, ordinance, purpose, faith, long suffering, love, patience, persecutions, and afflictions which happened unto me at Antioche, at Iconium, and at Lystra: which persecutions I suffered patiently, And from them all the lord delivered me. Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Iesu, must suffer persecutions. But the evil men and deceivers, shall wax worse and worse, while they deceive, and are deceived themselves.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, which also were committed unto thee seeing thou knowest of whom thou hast learned them. and for as much also as thou hast known holy scripture of a child, which is able to make thee wise unto health thorow faith, which is in Christ Iesu. For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to inform, and to instruct in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, and prepared unto all good works.
The .iiij. Chapter.
I testify therefore before God, and before the lord Iesu Christ, which shall judge quick and dead at his appearing in his kingdom, preach the word, be fervent, be it in season, or out of season. Improve, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering. For the time will come, when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they (whose ears itch) get them an heap of teachers, and shall turn their ears from the truth, and shall be given unto fables: But watch thou in all things, and suffer adversity, and do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thine office unto the utmost.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departing is at hand. I have fought a good fight, and have fulfilled my course, and have kept the faith. From henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the lord that is a righteous judge shall give me at that day: not to me only: but unto all them that love his coming. Make speed to come unto me at once.