¶The .iij. Chapter.
1 He prophecieth of the perilous tymes, 2 setteth out hypocrites in their colours, 12 sheweth the state of the Christians, 14 and howe to auoyde daungers, 16 Also what profite commeth of the scriptures.
1 THis knowe also, that * 1.1 [unspec A] in the last dayes, pery∣lous tymes shalbe at hande.
2 For men shalbe louers of their owne selues, couetous, boasters, proude, blasphemers, disobedient to fa∣thers and mothers, vnthankefull, vn∣godlye:
3 Without naturall affection trucebrea∣kers, false accusers, riotous, fierce, de∣spisers of them which are good,
4 Traytours, headdy, hye mynded, lo∣uers of pleasures more then louers of God:
5 Hauyng a fourme of godlynesse, but denying the power therof: turne away from these.
[unspec B] 6 These are they, * 1.2 which enter into houses, & leade captiue [simple] women laden with sinne, caryed with diuers lustes:
7 Euer learnyng, and neuer able to come vnto the knowledge of the trueth.
8 * 1.3For as Iannes and Iambres with∣stoode Moyses, so do these also resist the trueth: Men of (a) 1.4 corrupt myndes, re∣probate concernyng the fayth:
9 But they shall preuayle no longer. For their madnesse shalbe manifest vnto all [men] as also theirs was.
10 But thou hast folowed my doctrine, [unspec C] fashion of lyuyng, (b) 1.5 purpose, fayth, long sufferyng, loue, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came vnto me at Antioche, at Iconium, at Lystra, which persecutions I suffred patiently: And from them all, the Lord deliuered me.
12 Yea, and * 1.6 all that wyll lyue godly in Christe Iesus, shall suffer persecution.
13 But the euyll men and deceauers, shall waxe worse and worse, deceauyng and deceaued.
14 But continue thou in the thynges which thou haste learned, which also were committed vnto thee, knowyng of whom thou hast learned [them]:
15 And that from an * 1.7 infant thou hast [unspec D] knowen the scriptures, which are able to make thee wyse vnto saluation, tho∣rowe fayth which is in Christe Iesus.
16 * 1.8All scripture is geuen by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable to doctrine, to reproue, to correction, to instruction which is in ryghteousnesse,
17 That (c) 1.9 the man of God may be per∣fect, instructed vnto all good workes.