AVOID WICKED COMPANIONS
Know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men will be lovers of their own selves, lovers of money,
boasters, proud, evil-speakers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, unloving, truce breakers, false accusers,
without self-control, fierce, traitors, heady, high-minded,
despisers of those that are good,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
From such people turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses
and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with various lusts,
ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Do not enter onto the path of the wicked,
and do not go in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not go onto it; turn from it and pass away.
For they do not sleep until they have done mischief.
And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause someone to fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the just is as the shining light,
that shines more and more unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is as darkness.
They do not know what makes them stumble.
Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them.
Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Make no friendship with an angry man, and do not go with a furious man.
Lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul.
A good man has true concern for the lives of his animals.
But even tender mercies when given by the wicked are cruel.
Do not be deceived. Evil companionships corrupt good habits.
Paraphrase 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Proverbs 4:14-19, 24:1, 3:31, 22:24-25, 12:10; 1 Corinthians 15:33
