1 I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

These words are from my heart to you. I say this before God and Jesus Christ. Some day He will judge those who are living and those who are dead. It will be when Christ comes to bring His holy nation.

2 p reach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Preach the Word of God. Preach it when it is easy and people want to listen and when it is hard and people do not want to listen. Preach it all the time. Use the Word of God to show people they are wrong. Use the Word of God to help them do right. You must be willing to wait for people to understand what you teach as you teach them.

3 F or the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;

The time will come when people will not listen to the truth. They will look for teachers who will tell them only what they want to hear.

4 a nd will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.

They will not listen to the truth. Instead, they will listen to stories made up by men.

5 B ut be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.

You must watch for all these things. Do not be afraid to suffer for our Lord. Preach the Good News from place to place. Do all the work you are to do.

6 F or I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.

It will soon be time for me to leave this life.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:

I have fought a good fight. I have finished the work I was to do. I have kept the faith.

8 h enceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

There is a crown which comes from being right with God. The Lord, the One Who will judge, will give it to me on that great day when He comes again. I will not be the only one to receive a crown. All those who love to think of His coming and are looking for Him will receive one also. Paul Sends Word to Timothy About Some Friends

9 G ive diligence to come shortly unto me:

Come to me here as soon as you can.

10 f or Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Demas left me. He loved the things of this world and has gone to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to the city of Galatia. Titus has gone to the city of Dalmatia.

11 O nly Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering.

Luke is the only one with me here. Bring Mark when you come. He is a help to me in this work.

12 B ut Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.

I sent Tychicus to the city of Ephesus.

13 T he cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.

When you come, bring the coat I left with Carpus in the city of Troas. Bring the books and for sure do not forget the writings written on sheepskin.

14 A lexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works:

Alexander, the man who makes things out of copper, has worked hard against me. The Lord will give him the pay that is coming to him.

15 o f whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.

Watch him! He fought against every word we preached.

16 A t my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account.

At my first trial no one helped me. Everyone left me. I hope this will not be held against them.

17 B ut the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might me fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

But the Lord was with me. He gave me power to preach the Good News so all the people who do not know God might hear. I was taken from the mouth of the lion.

18 T he Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord will look after me and will keep me from every sinful plan they have. He will bring me safe into His holy nation of heaven. May He have all the shining-greatness forever. Let it be so.

19 S alute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila for me and to all the family of Onesiphorus.

20 E rastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.

Erastus stayed in the city of Corinth. I left Trophimus sick in the city of Miletus.

21 G ive diligence to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Try to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the Christian brothers greet you.

22 T he Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.

May the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. May you have God’s loving-favor.