1 I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge living and 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 roclaim the word; be urgent in season out of season, convict, rebuke, encourage, with all longsuffering and doctrine.

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 shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;

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 they will turn away their ear from the truth, and will have turned aside to fables.

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

5 B ut thou, be sober in all things, bear evils, do work of an evangelist, fill up the full measure of 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 poured out, and the time of my release is come.

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

7 I have combated the good combat, I have finished the race, 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 the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me in that day; but not only to me, but also to all who love 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 U se diligence to come to me quickly;

Come to me here as soon as you can.

10 f or Demas has forsaken me, having loved the present age, and is gone 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 L uke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry.

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 have sent to Ephesus.

I sent Tychicus to the city of Ephesus.

13 T he cloak which I left behind in Troas at Carpus's, 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 smith did many evil things against me. 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 A gainst whom be thou also on thy guard, for he has greatly withstood our words.

Watch him! He fought against every word we preached.

16 A t my first defence no man stood with me, but all deserted me. May it not be imputed to them.

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 with, and gave me power, that through me the proclamation might be fully made, and all the nations should hear; and I was delivered out of the lion's mouth.

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 shall deliver me from every wicked work, and shall preserve for his heavenly kingdom; to whom glory for the ages of ages. 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 in Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind in Miletus sick.

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

21 U se diligence to come before winter. Eubulus salutes thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and the brethren all.

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

22 T he Lord Jesus Christ with your spirit. Grace with you.

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