1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living 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 ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

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 according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

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 will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

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

5 B ut you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Paul’s Valedictory

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 already being poured out as a drink offering, 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 the good fight, I have finished the race, 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 F inally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. The Abandoned Apostle

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 B e diligent to come to me quickly;

Make every effort to come to me soon.

10 f or Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for 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. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for 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 I have sent to Ephesus.

Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 B ring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, 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 harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.

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

15 Y ou also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

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

16 A t my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. The Lord Is Faithful

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 B ut the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also 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 will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! Come Before Winter

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 G reet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

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

20 E rastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

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

21 D o your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. Farewell

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 your 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).