Evil in the Last Days 1 UST You need to understand that the final time period{ before Jesus returns to this world} will be very dangerous{ for believers}. BSB BSB: But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
2 UST { It will be dangerous} because people will care about themselves{ more than they care about anyone else}. They will strongly desire to have money. They will say great things about themselves. They will think too highly of themselves. They will insult{ God and others}. They will fail to do what their parents require. They will not thank{ anyone for anything}. They will not honor God. BSB BSB: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 UST They will fail to care{ for others}. They will refuse to forgive{ anyone}. They will say bad things{ about others}. They will fail to control themselves. They will act in brutal ways. They will hate everything that is good. BSB BSB: unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,
4 UST They will betray{ others}. They will act without thinking first. They will be prideful. They will care about whatever makes them feel good instead of loving God. BSB BSB: traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
6 UST Further, some of those people convince others to invite them to their homes.{ While they are there}, they start to control what any spiritually immature women{ who live there} think. These are women who have sinned very often. They do all the many things that they want to do. BSB BSB: They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions,
7 UST They keep learning new things, but they can never understand what is true. BSB BSB: who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
8 UST { You know} how Jannes and Jambres{, Pharaoh’ s magicians,} tried to stop Moses{ from freeing the Israelites}. Much like that, the{ false teachers I am speaking about} try to stop others from learning what is true. These false teachers are people who can no longer think properly. When they claim to believe in{ Jesus}, God does not approve of them. BSB BSB: Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.
9 UST However, they will not be able to convince many more people.{ That is} because everyone will realize that they are foolish. That is just what happened to Pharaoh’ s magicians. BSB BSB: But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.
All Scripture Is God-Breathed (Hebrews 4:12–16)
10 UST In contrast, as for you, you know what I do, and you imitate me. I teach{ others}. I live{ to please God}. I focus on what{ God has called me} to do. I trust in{ Jesus}. I do not easily become angry. I love{ others}. I persevere{ when bad things happen to me}. BSB BSB: You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,
11 UST People hurt me. I experience painful things. I experienced those kinds of painful things when I was in{ the cities of} Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. Even when people hurt me in those ways, I persisted{ in serving God}. When any of those bad things happened to me, the Lord{ Jesus} delivered me. BSB BSB: my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
12 UST Indeed, people will hurt all men and women who desire to live in a way that honors God as God unites them to Jesus the Messiah. BSB BSB: Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
13 UST On the other hand, people who do what is wrong and people who try to trick others will become more and more evil. They will deceive others, and people will deceive them. BSB BSB: while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 UST In contrast, as for you, you realize who taught you what you have learned and what you are sure about. So, you should persist in{ believing} those things. BSB BSB: But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.
15 UST Further,{ you should persist in believing those things because you realize} that you have heard what God says in the Scriptures from the time when you were a young child. The Scriptures enable you to think wisely. That way, when you trust in Jesus the Messiah, God rescues you. BSB BSB: From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
17 UST As a result, people who serve God have everything that they need. They are ready to do everything that is right. BSB BSB: so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.