1 I charge in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom:

I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign --

2 H erald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching,

3 F or the time is coming when will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching, they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,

for there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers -- itching in the hearing,

4 A nd will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.

and indeed, from the truth the hearing they shall turn away, and to the fables they shall be turned aside.

5 A s for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.

And thou -- watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,

6 F or I am already about to be sacrificed; the time of my release is at hand and I will soon go free.

for I am already being poured out, and the time of my release hath arrived;

7 I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

the good strife I have striven, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept,

8 h enceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of the righteousness that the Lord -- the Righteous Judge -- shall give to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all those loving his manifestation.

9 M ake every effort to come to me soon.

Be diligent to come unto me quickly,

10 F or Demas has deserted me for love of this present world and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

for Demas forsook me, having loved the present age, and went on to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia,

11 L uke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry.

Lukas only is with me; Markus having taken, bring with thyself, for he is profitable to me for ministration;

12 T ychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

and Tychicus I sent to Ephesus;

13 y ou come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, also the books, especially the parchments.

the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus, coming, bring thou and the books -- especially the parchments.

14 A lexander the coppersmith did me great wrongs. The Lord will pay him back for his actions.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; may the Lord repay to him according to his works,

15 B eware of him yourself, for he opposed and resisted our message very strongly and exceedingly.

of whom also do thou beware, for greatly hath he stood against our words;

16 A t my first trial no one acted in my defense or took my part or stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them!

in my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me, (may it not be reckoned to them!)

17 B ut the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the jaws of the lion.

and the Lord stood by me, and did strengthen me, that through me the preaching might be fully assured, and all the nations might hear, and I was freed out of the mouth of a lion,

18 t he Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

and the Lord shall free me from every evil work, and shall save -- to his heavenly kingdom; to whom the glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

19 G ive my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and to the household of Onesiphorus.

Salute Prisca and Aquilas, and Onesiphorus' household;

20 E rastus stayed on at Corinth, but Trophimus I left ill at Miletus.

Erastus did remain in Corinth, and Trophimus I left in Miletus infirm;

21 D o hasten and try your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus wishes to be remembered to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

be diligent to come before winter. Salute thee doth Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 T he Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace (God’s favor and blessing) be with you. Amen (so be it).

The Lord Jesus Christ with thy spirit; the grace with you! Amen.