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;

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 instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering 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 will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

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 shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

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

5 B ut watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof 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 now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

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

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my 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 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.

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 D o thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

Come to me here as soon as you can.

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

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

12 A nd Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

I sent Tychicus to the city of 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.

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 reward 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 be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Watch him! He fought against every word we preached.

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 helped me. Everyone left me. I hope this will not be held 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 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 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 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 household of Onesiphorus.

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

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

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

21 D o thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth 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 Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

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