Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,^(A) where a disciple named Timothy^(B) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer^(C) but whose father was a Greek. ² The believers^(D) at Lystra and Iconium^(E) spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.^{(F) 4} As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders^(G) in Jerusalem^(H) for the people to obey.^{(I) 5} So the churches were strengthened^(J) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.^(K)

Final Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God,^(A) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,^(B) faith, love,^(C) endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight^(D) of the faith. Take hold of^(E) the eternal life^(F) to which you were called when you made your good confession^(G) in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate^(H) made the good confession,^(I) I charge you^{(J) 14} to keep this command without spot or blame^(K) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(L) 15} which God will bring about in his own time^(M)—God, the blessed^(N) and only Ruler,^(O) the King of kings and Lord of lords,^{(P) 16} who alone is immortal^(Q) and who lives in unapproachable light,^(R) whom no one has seen or can see.^(S) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.^(T)

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.^{(A) 43} But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,^(B) he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready,^(C) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,^(D) whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.^{(E) 47} Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.^(F)