2 Timothy 4
English Standard Version
Preach the Word
4 (A)I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, (B)who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (C)his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; (D)reprove, rebuke, and (E)exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 (F)For the time is coming when people will not endure (G)sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and (H)will turn away from listening to the truth and (I)wander off into myths. 5 As for you, (J)always be sober-minded, (K)endure suffering, do the work of (L)an evangelist, (M)fulfill your ministry.
6 For (N)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my (O)departure has come. 7 (P)I have fought the good fight, (Q)I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is (R)laid up for me (S)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, (T)the righteous judge, will award to me on (U)that day, and not only to me but also to all (V)who have loved his appearing.
Personal Instructions
9 (W)Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For (X)Demas, (Y)in love with (Z)this present world, (AA)has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,[b] (AB)Titus to Dalmatia. 11 (AC)Luke alone is with me. Get (AD)Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 (AE)Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 (AF)Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; (AG)the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. (AH)May it not be charged against them! 17 But (AI)the Lord stood by me and (AJ)strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and (AK)all the Gentiles might hear it. So (AL)I was rescued (AM)from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. (AN)To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
19 Greet (AO)Prisca and Aquila, and (AP)the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left (AQ)Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21 (AR)Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.[c]
22 The Lord be (AS)with your spirit. (AT)Grace be with you.[d]
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 4:3 Or healthy
- 2 Timothy 4:10 Some manuscripts Gaul
- 2 Timothy 4:21 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
- 2 Timothy 4:22 The Greek for you is plural
2 Timothy 4
International Standard Version
Complete the Task Entrusted to You
4 In the presence of God and the Messiah[a] Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you 2 to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this[b] whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine, but with itching ears will surround themselves with teachers who cater to their people’s own desires. 4 They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths. 5 But you must be clear-headed about everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist. Devote yourself completely to your ministry.
6 I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. 8 The victor’s crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the day that he comes,[c] and not only to me but also to all who eagerly wait for his appearing.
Final Instructions to Timothy
9 Do your best to come to me soon, 10 because Demas, having fallen in love with this present world, has abandoned me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. 12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 When you come, bring the coat I left with Carpus in Troas, as well as the scrolls and especially the parchments.[d] 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. 15 You, too, must watch out for him, for he violently opposed our message.
16 At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! 17 However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles could hear it. I was rescued out of a lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack[e] and will take me safely to[f] his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever and ever! Amen.
Final Greeting
19 Greet Prisca[g] and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was sick. 21 Do your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22 May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you! Amen.[h]
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 4:1 Or Christ
- 2 Timothy 4:2 The Gk. lacks to do this
- 2 Timothy 4:8 Lit. on that day
- 2 Timothy 4:13 Parchments were writing materials made from animal skins.
- 2 Timothy 4:18 Lit. evil work
- 2 Timothy 4:18 Or will preserve me for
- 2 Timothy 4:19 I.e. Priscilla
- 2 Timothy 4:22 Other mss. lack Amen
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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