9-13 Get here as fast as you can. Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia. Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he’ll be my right-hand man since I’m sending Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks.

14-15 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith. Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he’s got coming.

16-18 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn’t matter—the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!

19-20 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.

21 Try hard to get here before winter.

Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings.

22 God be with you. Grace be with you.

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Personal Remarks

Do your best to come to me quickly,(A) 10 for Demas,(B) because he loved this world,(C) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.(D) Crescens has gone to Galatia,(E) and Titus(F) to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke(G) is with me.(H) Get Mark(I) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus(J) to Ephesus.(K) 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,(L) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

14 Alexander(M) the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.(N) 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.(O) 17 But the Lord stood at my side(P) and gave me strength,(Q) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.(R) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.(S) 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack(T) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.(U) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(V)

Final Greetings

19 Greet Priscilla[a] and Aquila(W) and the household of Onesiphorus.(X) 20 Erastus(Y) stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus(Z) sick in Miletus.(AA) 21 Do your best to get here before winter.(AB) Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.[b]

22 The Lord be with your spirit.(AC) Grace be with you all.(AD)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  2. 2 Timothy 4:21 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.