1 But understand this, that *in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be *lovers of self, *lovers of money, *proud, *arrogant, abusive, *disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 *heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, *not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, *swollen with conceit, *lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but *denying its power. *Avoid such people.