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 a promise of life that 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 Timotheus, beloved child: Grace, kindness, 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 am thankful to God, whom I serve from progenitors in a pure conscience, that unceasingly I have remembrance concerning thee in my supplications night and day,

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

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

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.

taking remembrance of the unfeigned faith that is in thee, that dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that also in thee.

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 which cause I remind thee to stir up the gift of God that is in thee through 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 did not give us a 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.

therefore thou mayest not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but do thou suffer evil along with 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 did save us, and did call with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, that was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the times of the ages,

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.

and was made manifest now through the manifestation of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who indeed did abolish death, and did enlighten life and immortality through the good news,

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

to which I was placed a preacher and an apostle, and a teacher of nations,

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 which cause also these things I suffer, but I am not ashamed, for I have known in whom I have believed, and have been persuaded that he is able that which I have committed to him to guard -- to that day.

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

The pattern hold thou of sound words, which from me thou didst hear, in faith and love that 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

the good thing committed guard thou through the Holy Spirit that is dwelling 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.

thou hast known this, that they did turn from me -- all those in Asia, 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.

may the Lord give kindness to the house of Onesiphorus, because many times he did refresh me, and of my chain was not ashamed,

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

but being in Rome, very diligently he sought me, and found;

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.

may the Lord give to him to find kindness from the Lord in that day; and how many things in Ephesus he did minister thou dost very well know.