A Final Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching,^(A) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,^(B) Iconium^(C) and Lystra,^(D) the persecutions I endured.^(E) Yet the Lord rescued^(F) me from all of them.^{(G) 12} In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^{(H) 13} while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,^(I) deceiving and being deceived.^{(J) 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,^{(K) 15} and how from infancy^(L) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(M) which are able to make you wise^(N) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(O) and is useful for teaching,^(P) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(Q) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](R) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(S)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(T) and in view of his appearing^(U) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(V) 2} Preach^(W) the word;^(X) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(Y) and encourage^(Z)—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(AA) 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.^{(AB) 4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.^{(AC) 5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,^(AD) do the work of an evangelist,^(AE) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,^(AF) and the time for my departure is near.^{(AG) 7} I have fought the good fight,^(AH) I have finished the race,^(AI) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(AJ) the crown of righteousness,^(AK) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(AL)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(AM)

Personal Remarks

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly,^{(AN) 10} for Demas,^(AO) because he loved this world,^(AP) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.^(AQ) Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(AR) and Titus^(AS) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(AT) is with me.^(AU) Get Mark^(AV) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus^(AW) to Ephesus.^{(AX) 13} When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,^(AY) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

¹⁴ Alexander^(AZ) the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.^{(BA) 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.^{(BB) 17} But the Lord stood at my side^(BC) and gave me strength,^(BD) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.^(BE) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.^{(BF) 18} The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack^(BG) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.^(BH) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(BI)