1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

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:

2 P reach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Herald 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.

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

For 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,

4 A nd they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

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

5 B ut watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

As 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.

6 F or I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

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

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

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

8 H enceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

henceforth 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).

9 D o thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

Make every effort to come to me soon.

10 F or Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

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

11 O nly Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

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

12 A nd Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

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

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

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

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

15 O f whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Beware of him yourself, for he opposed and resisted our message very strongly and exceedingly.

16 A t my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

At 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!

17 N otwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

But 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.

18 A nd the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

the 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).

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

Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and to the household of Onesiphorus.

20 E rastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Erastus stayed on at Corinth, but Trophimus I left ill at Miletus.

21 D o thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Do 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.

22 T he Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace (God’s favor and blessing) be with you. Amen (so be it).