2 Timothy 3 NLT

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-4)
• Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
• Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
• Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
  • Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
  • Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
• Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
  • Terrible Times (3:1-9)
  • Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
• Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
  • Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
  • Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
• Final Requests, Greetings and Benediction (4:9-22)

2 Timothy 3 NLT

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 

2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 

4They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 

5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 

6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 

7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 

8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 

9But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres. 

10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 

11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

13But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Proverbs 7 NLT

1 Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands.

2 Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. 

3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 

4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. 

5Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman. 

6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain,

7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. 

8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. 

9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. 

10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. 

11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. 

12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 

13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said,

14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows.

15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 

16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. 

17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 

18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 

19for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 

20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month. ” 

21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 

22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, 

23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. 

24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 

25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 

26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.

27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.

2 Timothy 2 NLT

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-4)
• Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
• Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
• Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
  • Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
  • Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
• Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
  • Terrible Times (3:1-9)
  • Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
• Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
  • Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
  • Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
• Final Requests, Greetings and Benediction (4:9-22)

2 Timothy 2 NLT

1 Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 

2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 

3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 

4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 

5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 

6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 

7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. 

8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 

9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 

10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 

11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 

12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. 

13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 

16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 

17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 

18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. 

19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” 

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 

21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 

22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 

23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 

24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 

25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 

26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

Proverbs 6 NLT

1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— 

2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— 

3 follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. 

4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. 

5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net. 

6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! 

7 Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, 

8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. 

9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? 

10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 

11then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. 

12 What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars, 

13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers. 

14 Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble. 

15 But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing. 

16 There are six things the LORD hates— no, seven things he detests: 

17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 

18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 

19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. 

20 My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 

21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. 

22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. 

23 For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life. 

24 It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman. 

25 Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you. 

26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life. 

27Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? 

28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? 

29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. 

30Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. 

31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.

32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. 

33 He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. 

34 For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 

35 He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.

2 Timothy 1 NLT

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-4)
• Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
• Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
• Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
  • Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
  • Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
• Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
  • Terrible Times (3:1-9)
  • Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
• Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
  • Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
  • Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
• Final Requests, Greetings and Benediction (4:9-22)

2 Timothy 1 NLT

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 

4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. 

5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 

6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 

9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 

10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 

11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. 

12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 

14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 

15 As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me—even Phygelus and Hermogenes. 

16 May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. 

17 When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. 

18 May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.