Preach the Word

(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: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; (D)reprove, rebuke, and (E)exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (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, and (H)will turn away from listening to the truth and (I)wander off into myths. As for you, (J)always be sober-minded, (K)endure suffering, do the work of (L)an evangelist, (M)fulfill your ministry.

For (N)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my (O)departure has come. (P)I have fought the good fight, (Q)I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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

(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

  1. 2 Timothy 4:3 Or healthy
  2. 2 Timothy 4:10 Some manuscripts Gaul
  3. 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
  4. 2 Timothy 4:22 The Greek for you is plural

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Personal Instructions

Do your best to come to me soon, 10 for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia,[a] 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 cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. 15 You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.

16 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained in Corinth; Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.[b]

22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.[c]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:10 Other ancient authorities read Gaul
  2. 2 Timothy 4:21 Gk all the brothers
  3. 2 Timothy 4:22 The Greek word for you here is plural. Other ancient authorities add Amen