“And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
King James Version (KJV)
4:2 Be instant - Insist on, urge these things in season, out of season - That is, continually, at all times and places. It might be translated, with and without opportunity - Not only when a fair occasion is given: even when there is none, one must be made.
4:3 For they will heap up teachers - Therefore thou hast need of all longsuffering. According to their own desires - Smooth as they can wish. Having itching ears - Fond of novelty and variety, which the number of new teachers, as well as their empty, soft, or philosophical discourses, pleased. Such teachers, and such hearers, seldom are much concerned with what is strict or to the purpose. Heap to themselves - Not enduring sound doctrine, they will reject the sound preachers, and gather together all that suit their own taste. Probably they send out one another as teachers, and so are never at a loss for numbers.
4:5 Watch - An earnest, constant, persevering exercise. The scripture watching, or waiting, implies steadfast faith, patient hope, labouring love, unceasing prayer; yea, the mighty exertion of all the affections of the soul that a man is capable of. In all things - Whatever you are doing, yet in that, and in all things, watch. Do the work of an evangelist - Which was next to that of an apostle.
4:6 The time of my departure is at hand - So undoubtedly God had shown him. I am ready to be offered up - Literally, to be poured out, as the wine and oil were on the ancient sacrifices.
2Ti 4:4 Turn away [their] ears from the truth. It is a moral law, continually illustrated, that those who do not seek truth will receive untruth.
And they shall turne away their eares from the trueth, and shall be turned vnto fables.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
- American Standard Version (1901)
And shutting their ears to what is true, will be turned away to belief in foolish stories.
- Basic English Bible
and they will turn away their ear from the truth, and will have turned aside to fables.
- Darby Bible
And they will turn away their ears from the truth, and will be turned to fables.
- Webster's Bible
and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside to fables.
- Weymouth Bible
and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
- World English Bible
And treuli thei schulen turne awei the heryng fro treuthe, but to fablis thei schulen turne.
- Wycliffe Bible
and indeed, from the truth the hearing they shall turn away, and to the fables they shall be turned aside.
- Youngs Literal Bible