1 T hese 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.

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 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.

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 T he 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.

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

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

5 Y ou 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.

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 I t will soon be time for me to leave this life.

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 a good fight. I have finished the work I was to do. 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 T here 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

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 C ome to me here as soon as you can.

Make every effort to come to me soon.

10 D emas 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.

For Demas has deserted me for love of this present world and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

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

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry.

12 I sent Tychicus to the city of Ephesus.

Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 W hen 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.

you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, also the books, especially the parchments.

14 A lexander, 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.

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

15 W atch him! He fought against every word we preached.

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

16 A t my first trial no one helped me. Everyone left me. I hope this will not be held against them.

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 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.

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 T he 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.

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

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

20 E rastus stayed in the city of Corinth. I left Trophimus sick in the city of Miletus.

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

21 T ry to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the Christian brothers greet you.

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

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace (God’s favor and blessing) be with you. Amen (so be it).