1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B) in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,^(C)

² To Timothy,^(D) my dear son:^(E)

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(F)

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God,^(G) whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,^(H) as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.^{(I) 4} Recalling your tears,^(J) I long to see you,^(K) so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith,^(L) which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(M) and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.^{(N) 7} For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,^(O) but gives us power,^(P) love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed^(Q) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.^(R) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,^(S) by the power of God. ⁹ He has saved^(T) us and called^(U) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done^(V) but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed^(W) through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,^(X) who has destroyed death^(Y) and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel^(Z) I was appointed^(AA) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.^{(AB) 12} That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,^(AC) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard^(AD) what I have entrusted to him until that day.^(AE)

¹³ What you heard from me,^(AF) keep^(AG) as the pattern^(AH) of sound teaching,^(AI) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.^{(AJ) 14} Guard^(AK) the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.^(AL)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(A) and in view of his appearing^(B) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(C) 2} Preach^(D) the word;^(E) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(F) and encourage^(G)—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(H) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.^{(I) 4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.^{(J) 5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,^(K) do the work of an evangelist,^(L) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,^(M) and the time for my departure is near.^{(N) 7} I have fought the good fight,^(O) I have finished the race,^(P) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(Q) the crown of righteousness,^(R) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(S)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(T)