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 command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing 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.

preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all 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 will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;

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

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

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.

But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

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

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

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 fight. I have finished the course. I have kept 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

From now on, there is stored 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 those who have loved his appearing.

9 C ome to me here as soon as you can.

Be diligent 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 left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and 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.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

12 I sent Tychicus to the city of Ephesus.

But I sent Tychicus 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.

Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and 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 much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,

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

of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.

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 defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held 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, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth 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.

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

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

Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.

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

Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

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 be with you. Amen.