1 O r sappi questo: negli ultimi giorni verranno tempi difficili;

But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble.

2 p erché gli uomini saranno egoisti, amanti del denaro, vanagloriosi, superbi, bestemmiatori, ribelli ai genitori, ingrati, irreligiosi,

For people will be lovers of self and self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.

3 i nsensibili, sleali, calunniatori, intemperanti, spietati, senza amore per il bene,

without natural affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.

4 t raditori, sconsiderati, orgogliosi, amanti del piacere anziché di Dio,

treacherous, rash, inflated with self-conceit. lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.

5 a venti l’apparenza della pietà, mentre ne hanno rinnegato la potenza. Anche da costoro allontànati!

For they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it. Avoid such people.

6 P oiché nel numero di costoro ci sono quelli che si insinuano nelle case e circuiscono donnette cariche di peccati, agitate da varie passioni,

For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly and weak-natured and spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with sins swayed and led away by various evil desires and seductive impulses.

7 l e quali cercano sempre di imparare e non possono mai giungere alla conoscenza della verità.

they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth.

8 E come Iannè e Iambrè si opposero a Mosè, così anche costoro si oppongono alla verità: uomini dalla mente corrotta, che non hanno dato buona prova quanto alla fede.

Now just as Jannes and Jambres were hostile to and resisted Moses, so these men also are hostile to and oppose the Truth. They have depraved and distorted minds, and are reprobate and counterfeit and to be rejected as far as the faith is concerned.

9 M a non andranno più oltre, perché la loro stoltezza sarà manifesta a tutti, come fu quella di quegli uomini. Esortazioni varie rivolte a Timoteo

But they will not get very far, for their rash folly will become obvious to everybody, as was that of those.

10 T u invece hai seguito da vicino il mio insegnamento, la mia condotta, i miei propositi, la mia fede, la mia pazienza, il mio amore, la mia costanza,

Now you have closely observed and diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

11 l e mie persecuzioni, le mie sofferenze, quello che mi accadde ad Antiochia, a Iconio e a Listra. Sai quali persecuzioni ho sopportato, e il Signore mi ha liberato da tutte.

Persecutions, sufferings—such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 D el resto, tutti quelli che vogliono vivere piamente in Cristo Gesù saranno perseguitati.

Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution.

13 M a gli uomini malvagi e gli impostori andranno di male in peggio, ingannando gli altri ed essendo ingannati.

But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.

14 T u, invece, persevera nelle cose che hai imparate e di cui hai acquistato la certezza, sapendo da chi le hai imparate,

But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned,

15 e che fin da bambino hai avuto conoscenza delle sacre Scritture, le quali possono darti la sapienza che conduce alla salvezza mediante la fede in Cristo Gesù.

And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus '> leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].

16 O gni Scrittura è ispirata da Dio e utile a insegnare, a riprendere, a correggere, a educare alla giustizia,

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

17 p erché l’uomo di Dio sia completo e ben preparato per ogni opera buona.

So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.