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 through the will of God, according to the promise of the 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 beloved child: 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 as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day

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

longing to see you, remembering your 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.

having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you 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.

For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying 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 didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

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.

Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News 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 saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

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 has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

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

For this, I was appointed as a preacher, 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 this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to 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 the pattern of sound words which you have heard from 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 to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells 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 you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus 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.

May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often 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 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 to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.