1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B) in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,^(C)

² To Timothy,^(D) my dear son:^(E)

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

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God,^(G) whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,^(H) as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.^{(I) 4} Recalling your tears,^(J) I long to see you,^(K) so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith,^(L) which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(M) and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

¹⁷ For this reason I have sent to you^(A) Timothy,^(B) my son^(C) whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.^(D)

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy^(A) to you soon,^(B) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him,^(C) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(D) not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(E) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.^{(F) 24} And I am confident^(G) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

² We sent Timothy,^(A) who is our brother and co-worker^(B) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^(C) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

Personal Remarks

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly,^{(A) 10} for Demas,^(B) because he loved this world,^(C) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.^(D) Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(E) and Titus^(F) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(G) is with me.^(H) Get Mark^(I) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus^(J) to Ephesus.^{(K) 13} When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,^(L) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

²¹ Do your best to get here before winter.^(A) Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.^[a]