1But know this , that in the last days grievous times shall come . 2For men shall be lovers of self , lovers of money , boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents , unthankful, unholy, 3without natural affection, implacable, slanderers , without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4traitors , headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God ; 5holding a form of godliness , but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
Characteristics of False Teachers
6For of these are they that creep into houses , and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts , 7ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses , so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind , reprobate concerning the faith . 9But they shall proceed no further : for their folly shall be evident unto all men , as theirs also came to be .
The Example of Paul
10But thou didst follow my teaching , conduct, purpose , faith , longsuffering , love, patience , 11persecutions , sufferings ; what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium , at Lystra ; what persecutions I endured : and out of them all the Lord delivered me . 12Yea , and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution . 13But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse , deceiving and being deceived .
The Authority of Scripture
14But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of , knowing of whom thou hast learned them ; 15and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus . 16Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching , for reproof , for correction , for instruction which is in righteousness : 17that the man of God may be complete , furnished completely unto every good work .