The Man of God and the Word of God

^10 (A)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me ^(B)at Antioch, ^(C)at Iconium, ^(D)at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And ^(E)out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and ^(F)all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ^13 (G)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must ^(H)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 ^(I)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

^16 (J)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, ^(K)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for ^[a]instruction in righteousness, ^17 (L)that the man of God may be complete, ^(M)thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

4 I ^(N)charge you ^[b]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, ^(O)who will judge the living and the dead ^[c]at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. ^(P)Convince, ^(Q)rebuke, ^(R)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ^3 (S)For the time will come when they will not endure ^(T)sound doctrine, ^(U)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and ^(V)be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, ^(W)endure afflictions, do the work of ^(X)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

⁶ For ^(Y)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^(Z)my departure is at hand. ^7 (AA)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me ^(AB)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous ^(AC)Judge, will give to me ^(AD)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The Abandoned Apostle

⁹ Be diligent to come to me quickly; ¹⁰ for ^(AE)Demas has forsaken me, ^(AF)having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get ^(AG)Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² And ^(AH)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 (AI)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. ^(AJ)May it not be charged against them.

The Lord Is Faithful

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

Come Before Winter

¹⁹ Greet ^(AP)Prisca and Aquila, and the household of ^(AQ)Onesiphorus. ^20 (AR)Erastus stayed in Corinth, but ^(AS)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 ^[d]Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death