1 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; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.

3 F or 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 a nd will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

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

6 F or I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

8 F rom 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 B e diligent to come to me soon,

10 f or Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

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

12 B ut I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 B ring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.

14 A lexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,

15 o f whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.

16 A t 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 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 A nd 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 Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

20 E rastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.

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

22 T he Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.