³ Having first of all the knowledge that in the last days there will be men who, ruled by their evil desires, will make sport of holy things,

¹⁸ How they said to you, In the last days there will be men who, guided by their evil desires, will make sport of holy things.

¹⁰ But specially those who go after the unclean desires of the flesh, and make sport of authority. Ready to take chances, uncontrolled, they have no fear of saying evil of those in high places:

¹ But the Spirit says clearly that in later times some will be turned away from the faith, giving their minds to spirits of deceit, and the teachings of evil spirits,

² Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron;

¹⁶ These are the men who make trouble, ever desiring change, going after evil pleasures, using high-sounding words, respecting men's position in the hope of reward.

²⁰ Being conscious in the first place that no man by himself may give a special sense to the words of the prophets.

² And we have given up the secret things of shame, not walking in false ways, and not making use of the word of God with deceit; but by the revelation of what is true, as before God, we have the approval of every man's sense of right and wrong.

²⁰ For the cruel one has come to nothing; and those who make sport of the Lord are gone; and those who are watching to do evil are cut off:

¹ But be certain of this, that in the last days times of trouble will come.

⁵ On the day of our king, the rulers made him ill with the heat of wine; his hand was stretched out with the men of pride.

¹⁴ Give ear then to the word of the Lord, you men of pride, the rulers of this people in Jerusalem:

⁶ The hater of authority, searching for wisdom, does not get it; but knowledge comes readily to the open-minded man.

³⁴ He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.

²² How long, you simple ones, will foolish things be dear to you? and pride a delight to the haters of authority? how long will the foolish go on hating knowledge?

¹⁹ Who say, Let him do his work quickly, let him make it sudden, so that we may see it: let the design of the Holy One of Israel come near, so that it may be clear to us.

¹⁸ Little children, it is the last hour; and as you were given word that the Antichrist would come, so now a number of Antichrists have come to you; and by this we are certain that it is the last hour.