12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, (A)for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Be Loyal to the Faith

13 (B)Hold fast (C)the pattern of (D)sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the (E)household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord (F)grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord (G)in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he (H)ministered [a]to me at Ephesus.

Be Strong in Grace

You therefore, (I)my son, (J)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must (K)endure[b] hardship (L)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (M)No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also (N)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and [c]may the Lord (O)give you understanding in all things.

Remember that Jesus Christ, (P)of the seed of David, (Q)was raised from the dead (R)according to my gospel, (S)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, (T)even to the point of chains; (U)but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore (V)I endure all things for the sake of the [d]elect, (W)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For (X)if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 (Y)If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
(Z)If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He (AA)cannot deny Himself.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

14 Remind them of these things, (AB)charging them before the Lord not to [e]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 (AC)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and [f]idle babblings, for they will [g]increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. (AD)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, (AE)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless (AF)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord (AG)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of [h]Christ depart from iniquity.”

20 But in a great house there are not only (AH)vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, [i]sanctified and useful for the Master, (AI)prepared for every good work. 22 (AJ)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And (AK)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, (AL)able to teach, (AM)patient, 25 (AN)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, (AO)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, (AP)so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and (AQ)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

But know this, that (AR)in the last days [j]perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, [k]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, (AS)traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (AT)having a form of godliness but (AU)denying its power. And (AV)from such people turn away! For (AW)of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able (AX)to come to the knowledge of the truth. (AY)Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: (AZ)men of corrupt minds, (BA)disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, (BB)as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

10 (BC)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me (BD)at Antioch, (BE)at Iconium, (BF)at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And (BG)out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and (BH)all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 (BI)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must (BJ)continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known (BK)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 (BL)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, (BM)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [l]instruction in righteousness, 17 (BN)that the man of God may be complete, (BO)thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

I (BP)charge you [m]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, (BQ)who will judge the living and the dead [n]at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. (BR)Convince, (BS)rebuke, (BT)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (BU)For the time will come when they will not endure (BV)sound doctrine, (BW)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and (BX)be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, (BY)endure afflictions, do the work of (BZ)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

For (CA)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (CB)my departure is at hand. (CC)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me (CD)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous (CE)Judge, will give to me (CF)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The Abandoned Apostle

Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for (CG)Demas has forsaken me, (CH)having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get (CI)Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And (CJ)Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

14 (CK)Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. (CL)May it not be charged against them.

The Lord Is Faithful

17 (CM)But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, (CN)so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered (CO)out of the mouth of the lion. 18 (CP)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. (CQ)To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Come Before Winter

19 Greet (CR)Prisca and Aquila, and the household of (CS)Onesiphorus. 20 (CT)Erastus stayed in Corinth, but (CU)Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

21 Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

22 The Lord [o]Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 1:18 to me from Vg., a few Gr. mss.
  2. 2 Timothy 2:3 NU You must share
  3. 2 Timothy 2:7 NU the Lord will give you
  4. 2 Timothy 2:10 chosen ones
  5. 2 Timothy 2:14 battle
  6. 2 Timothy 2:16 empty chatter
  7. 2 Timothy 2:16 lead
  8. 2 Timothy 2:19 NU, M the Lord
  9. 2 Timothy 2:21 set apart
  10. 2 Timothy 3:1 times of stress
  11. 2 Timothy 3:3 irreconcilable
  12. 2 Timothy 3:16 training, discipline
  13. 2 Timothy 4:1 NU omits therefore
  14. 2 Timothy 4:1 NU and by
  15. 2 Timothy 4:22 NU omits Jesus Christ

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