³ If anyone teaches otherwise^(A) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(C) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(D) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth^(E) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment^(F) is great gain.^{(G) 7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.^{(H) 8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.^{(I) 9} Those who want to get rich^(J) fall into temptation and a trap^(K) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money^(L) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith^(M) and pierced themselves with many griefs.^(N)

Final Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God,^(O) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,^(P) faith, love,^(Q) endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight^(R) of the faith. Take hold of^(S) the eternal life^(T) to which you were called when you made your good confession^(U) 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^(V) made the good confession,^(W) I charge you^{(X) 14} to keep this command without spot or blame^(Y) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(Z) 15} which God will bring about in his own time^(AA)—God, the blessed^(AB) and only Ruler,^(AC) the King of kings and Lord of lords,^{(AD) 16} who alone is immortal^(AE) and who lives in unapproachable light,^(AF) whom no one has seen or can see.^(AG) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.^(AH)

¹⁷ Command those who are rich^(AI) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,^(AJ) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,^(AK) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.^{(AL) 18} Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,^(AM) and to be generous and willing to share.^{(AN) 19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves^(AO) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of^(AP) the life that is truly life.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted^(AQ) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter^(AR) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.^(AS)

Grace be with you all.^(AT)

1 Paul, an apostle^(AU) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(AV) in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,^(AW)

² To Timothy,^(AX) my dear son:^(AY)

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

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God,^(BA) whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,^(BB) as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.^{(BC) 4} Recalling your tears,^(BD) I long to see you,^(BE) so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith,^(BF) which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(BG) 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.^{(BH) 7} For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,^(BI) but gives us power,^(BJ) love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed^(BK) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.^(BL) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,^(BM) by the power of God. ⁹ He has saved^(BN) us and called^(BO) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done^(BP) 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^(BQ) through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,^(BR) who has destroyed death^(BS) and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel^(BT) I was appointed^(BU) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.^{(BV) 12} That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,^(BW) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard^(BX) what I have entrusted to him until that day.^(BY)

¹³ What you heard from me,^(BZ) keep^(CA) as the pattern^(CB) of sound teaching,^(CC) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.^{(CD) 14} Guard^(CE) the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.^(CF)

Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty

¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia^(CG) has deserted me,^(CH) including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,^(CI) because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed^(CJ) of my chains.^{(CK) 17} On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!^(CL) You know very well in how many ways he helped me^(CM) in Ephesus.^(CN)

The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son,^(CO) be strong^(CP) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say^(CQ) in the presence of many witnesses^(CR) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Join with me in suffering,^(CS) like a good soldier^(CT) of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown^(CU) except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.^{(CV) 7} Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,^(CW) descended from David.^(CX) This is my gospel,^{(CY) 9} for which I am suffering^(CZ) even to the point of being chained^(DA) like a criminal. But God’s word^(DB) is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything^(DC) for the sake of the elect,^(DD) that they too may obtain the salvation^(DE) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^(DF)

¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:^(DG)

Dealing With False Teachers

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;^(DL) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^{(DM) 16} Avoid godless chatter,^(DN) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(DO) and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^(DP) and they destroy the faith of some.^{(DQ) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^(DR) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^(DS) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^(DT) must turn away from wickedness.”

²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.^{(DU) 21} Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.^(DV)

²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^(DW) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^(DX) out of a pure heart.^{(DY) 23} Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.^{(DZ) 24} And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^{(EA) 25} Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(EB) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(EC) who has taken them captive to do his will.

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.^{(ED) 2} People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,^(EE) boastful, proud,^(EF) abusive,^(EG) disobedient to their parents,^(EH) ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous,^(EI) rash, conceited,^(EJ) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness^(EK) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.^(EL)

⁶ They are the kind who worm their way^(EM) into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(EN) 8} Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,^(EO) so also these teachers oppose^(EP) the truth. They are men of depraved minds,^(EQ) who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,^(ER) their folly will be clear to everyone.

A Final Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching,^(ES) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,^(ET) Iconium^(EU) and Lystra,^(EV) the persecutions I endured.^(EW) Yet the Lord rescued^(EX) me from all of them.^{(EY) 12} In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^{(EZ) 13} while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,^(FA) deceiving and being deceived.^{(FB) 14} But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(FC) 15} and how from infancy^(FD) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(FE) which are able to make you wise^(FF) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(FG) and is useful for teaching,^(FH) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(FI) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](FJ) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(FK)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(FL) and in view of his appearing^(FM) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(FN) 2} Preach^(FO) the word;^(FP) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(FQ) and encourage^(FR)—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(FS) 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.^{(FT) 4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.^{(FU) 5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,^(FV) do the work of an evangelist,^(FW) discharge all the duties of your ministry.