2 Timothy 1:8-2:5

New Century Version

⁸ So do not be ashamed to tell people about our Lord Jesus, and do not be ashamed of me, in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. God, who gives us the strength to do that, ⁹ saved us and made us his holy people. That was not because of anything we did ourselves but because of God’s purpose and grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰ but it is now shown to us by the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus. He destroyed death, and through the Good News he showed us the way to have life that cannot be destroyed. ¹¹ I was chosen to tell that Good News and to be an apostle and a teacher. ¹² I am suffering now because I tell the Good News, but I am not ashamed, because I know Jesus, the One in whom I have believed. And I am sure he is able to protect what he has trusted me with until that day.^{[a] 13} Follow the pattern of true teachings that you heard from me in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Protect the truth that you were given; protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

¹⁵ You know that everyone in Asia has left me, even Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, who has often helped me and was not ashamed that I was in prison. ¹⁷ When he came to Rome, he looked eagerly for me until he found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord allow him to find mercy from the Lord on that day. You know how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

A Loyal Soldier of Christ Jesus

2 You then, Timothy, my child, be strong in the grace we have in Christ Jesus. ² You should teach people whom you can trust the things you and many others have heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others. ³ Share in the troubles we have like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ A soldier wants to please the enlisting officer, so no one serving in the army wastes time with everyday matters. ⁵ Also an athlete who takes part in a contest must obey all the rules in order to win.