I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Preach the Word

(A)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to (B)judge the living and the dead, and by His (C)appearing and His kingdom: preach (D)the word; be ready [a]in season and out of season; (E)correct, rebuke, and [b]exhort, with [c]great (F)patience and instruction. For (G)the time will come when they will not tolerate (H)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they (I)will turn their ears away from the truth and (J)will turn aside to myths. But as for you, (K)use self-restraint in all things, (L)endure hardship, do the work of an (M)evangelist, fulfill your (N)ministry.

For I am already being (O)poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (P)my departure has come. (Q)I have fought the good fight, I have finished (R)the course, I have kept (S)the faith; in the future there (T)is reserved for me (U)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on (V)that day; and not only to me, but also to (W)all who have loved His (X)appearing.

Personal Concerns

(Y)Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for (Z)Demas, having loved (AA)this present [d]world, has deserted me and gone to (AB)Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to [e](AC)Galatia, (AD)Titus to Dalmatia. 11 (AE)Only (AF)Luke is with me. Take along (AG)Mark and bring him with you, (AH)for he is useful to me for service. 12 But I have sent (AI)Tychicus to (AJ)Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at (AK)Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 (AL)Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; (AM)the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our [f]teaching.

16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; (AN)may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and (AO)strengthened me, so that through me (AP)the proclamation might [g]be (AQ)fully accomplished, and that all (AR)the Gentiles might hear; and I was (AS)rescued out of (AT)the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will [h](AU)bring me safely to His (AV)heavenly kingdom; (AW)to [i]Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and (AX)Aquila, and (AY)the household of Onesiphorus. 20 (AZ)Erastus remained at (BA)Corinth, but I left (BB)Trophimus sick at (BC)Miletus. 21 (BD)Make every effort to come before (BE)winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

22 (BF)The Lord be with your spirit. (BG)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:2 I.e., whether it is convenient or not
  2. 2 Timothy 4:2 Or encourage
  3. 2 Timothy 4:2 Lit all
  4. 2 Timothy 4:10 Or age
  5. 2 Timothy 4:10 One early ms Gaul
  6. 2 Timothy 4:15 Lit words
  7. 2 Timothy 4:17 Or be fulfilled
  8. 2 Timothy 4:18 Or save me for
  9. 2 Timothy 4:18 Lit Whom

[a]I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; [b]reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the [c]sound [d]doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. For I am already being [e]offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

Give diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 for Demas forsook me, having loved this present [f]world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to [g]Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering. 12 But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith [h]did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: 15 of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words. 16 At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account. 17 But the Lord stood by me, and [i]strengthened me; that through me the [j]message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory [k]for ever and ever. Amen.

19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick. 21 Give diligence to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:1 Or, I testify, in the sight . . . dead, both of his appearing etc.
  2. 2 Timothy 4:2 Or, bring to the proof
  3. 2 Timothy 4:3 Greek healthful.
  4. 2 Timothy 4:3 Or, teaching
  5. 2 Timothy 4:6 Greek poured out as a drink-offering.
  6. 2 Timothy 4:10 Or, age
  7. 2 Timothy 4:10 Or, Gaul
  8. 2 Timothy 4:14 Greek showed.
  9. 2 Timothy 4:17 Or, gave me power
  10. 2 Timothy 4:17 Or, proclamation
  11. 2 Timothy 4:18 Greek unto the ages of the ages.