Part 3

003:008 And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these false teachers withstand the truth--being, as they are, men of debased intellects, and of no real worth so far as faith is concerned.

003:009 But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses came to be.

003:010 But you have intimately known my teaching, life, aims, faith, patience, love, resignation,

003:011 and the persecutions and sufferings which I have endured; the things which happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. You know the persecutions I endured, and how the Lord delivered me out of them all.

003:012 And indeed every one who is determined to live a godly life as a follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

003:013 But bad men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.

003:014 But you must cling to the things which you have learnt and have been taught to believe, knowing who your teachers were,

003:015 and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to obtain salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

003:016 Every Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for convincing, for correction of error, and for instruction in right doing;

003:017 so that the man of God may himself be complete and may be perfectly equipped for every good work.

004:001 I solemnly implore you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living and the dead, and by His Appearing and His Kingship:

004:002 proclaim God's message, be zealous in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, encourage, with the utmost patience as a teacher.

004:003 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled, they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies;

004:004 and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside to fables.

004:005 But as for you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not live a self-indulgent life, but do the duty of an evangelist and fully discharge the obligations of your office.

004:006 I for my part am like a drink-offering which is already being poured out; and the time for my departure is now close at hand.

004:007 I have gone through the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have guarded the faith.

004:008 From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who love the thought of His Appearing.

004:009 Make an effort to come to me speedily.

004:010 For Demas has deserted me--loving, as he does, the present age-- and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

004:011 Luke is the only friend I now have with me. Call for Mark on your way and bring him with you, for he is a great help to me in my ministry.

004:012 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

004:013 When you come, bring with you the cloak which I left behind at Troas at the house of Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments.

004:014 Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me: the Lord will requite him according to his doings.

004:015 You also should beware of him; for he has violently opposed our preaching.

004:016 At my first defence I had no one at my side, but all deserted me. May it not be laid to their charge.

004:017 The Lord, however, stood by me and filled me with inward strength, that through me the Message might be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the lion's jaws.

004:018 The Lord will deliver me from every cruel attack and will keep me safe in preparation for His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the glory until the Ages of the Ages! Amen.