1 T his letter is from Paul, a missionary of Jesus Christ. God has sent me to tell that He has promised life that lasts forever through Christ Jesus.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 I am writing to you, Timothy. You are my much-loved son. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you His loving-favor and loving-kindness and peace. Timothy’s Special Gift

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God for you. I pray for you night and day. I am working for God the way my early fathers worked. My heart says I am free from sin.

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

4 W hen I remember your tears, it makes me want to see you. That would fill me with joy.

Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5 I remember your true faith. It is the same faith your grandmother Lois had and your mother Eunice had. I am sure you have that same faith also.

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 F or this reason, I ask you to keep using the gift God gave you. It came to you when I laid my hands on you and prayed that God would use you.

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 F or God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 D o not be ashamed to tell others about what our Lord said, or of me here in prison. I am here because of Jesus Christ. Be ready to suffer for preaching the Good News and God will give you the strength you need.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 H e is the One Who saved us from the punishment of sin. He is the One Who chose us to do His work. It is not because of anything we have done. But it was His plan from the beginning that He would give us His loving-favor through Christ Jesus.

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 W e know about it now because of the coming of Jesus Christ, the One Who saves. He put a stop to the power of death and brought life that never dies which is seen through the Good News.

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 I have been chosen to be a missionary and a preacher and a teacher of this Good News.

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 F or this reason, I am suffering. But I am not ashamed. I know the One in Whom I have put my trust. I am sure He is able to keep safe that which I have trusted to Him until the day He comes again.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 K eep all the things I taught you. They were given to you in the faith and love of Jesus Christ.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 K eep safe that which He has trusted you with by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. Onesiphorus Was Faithful

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 I am sure you have heard that all the Christians in the countries of Asia have turned away from me. Phygelus and Hermogenes turned away also.

This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 O nesiphorus was not ashamed of me in prison. He came often to comfort me. May the Lord show loving-kindness to his family.

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 W hen he came to Rome, he looked everywhere until he found me.

But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 Y ou know what a help he was to me in Ephesus. When the Lord comes again, may He show loving-kindness to Onesiphorus.

The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.