Knowthisfirstof all, that in the lastdaysmockerswill comewith [their] mocking,followingaftertheir ownlusts,
"Howlong,O naiveones,will you lovebeing simple-minded?And scoffersdelightthemselves in scoffingAnd foolshateknowledge?
A scofferseekswisdomand [finds] none,But knowledgeis easyto one who hasunderstanding.
ThoughHe scoffsat the scoffers,Yet He givesgraceto the afflicted.
Therefore,hearthe wordof the LORD,O scoffers,Who rulethispeoplewhoare in Jerusalem,
For the ruthlesswill cometo an endand the scornerwill be finished,Indeed allwho are intenton doingevilwill be cutoff;
Who say,"Let Him makespeed,let Him hastenHis work,that we may see[it]; And let the purposeof the HolyOneof IsraeldrawnearAnd cometo pass,that we may know[it]!"
On the dayof our king,the princesbecamesickwith the heatof wine;He stretchedout his handwith scoffers,
"He who rejectsMe and does not receiveMy sayings,hasone who judgeshim; the wordI spokeis whatwill judgehim at the lastday.
but we have renouncedthe things hiddenbecause of shame,not walkingin craftinessoradulteratingthe wordof God,but by the manifestationof truthcommendingourselvesto everyman'sconsciencein the sightof God.
But realizethis,that in the lastdaysdifficulttimeswill come.
in theselastdayshas spokento us in His Son,whomHe appointedheirof all things,throughwhomalsoHe madethe world.
But knowthisfirstof all, that noprophecyof Scriptureis [a matter] of one's owninterpretation,
and especiallythosewho indulgethe fleshin [its] corruptdesiresand despiseauthority.Daring,self-willed,they do not tremblewhen they revileangelic majesties,
Children,it is the lasthour;and justas you heardthat antichristis coming,evennowmanyantichristshave appeared;from thiswe knowthat it is the lasthour.
Theseare grumblers,finding fault,followingaftertheir [own] lusts;they speakarrogantly,flatteringpeoplefor the sakeof [gaining an] advantage.
that they were sayingto you, "In the lasttimethere will be mockers,followingaftertheir ownungodlylusts."
