⁵ But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,^(A) fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,^(B) and the time for my departure is close. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ There is reserved for me the crown^(C) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,^(D) will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.^[a](E)

Final Instructions

⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon,^{(F) 10} because Demas^(G) has deserted me,^(H) since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica.^(I) Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(J) Titus^(K) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(L) is with me. Bring Mark^(M) with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. ¹² I have sent Tychicus^(N) to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas^(O) with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander^(P) the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ Watch out^(Q) for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me.^(R) May it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word 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 work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.^(S) To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Benediction

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila,^(T) and the household of Onesiphorus.^{(U) 20} Erastus^(V) has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus^(W) sick at Miletus.^{(X) 21} Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

⁶ Be strong and courageous;^(A) don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you;^(B) he will not leave you or abandon you.”^(C)

⁷ Moses then summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with^[a] this people into the land the Lord swore to give to their ancestors.^(D) You will enable them to take possession of it. ⁸ The Lord is the one who will go before you.^(E) He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.^(F) Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

¹² Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown^(A) of life that God^[a] has promised to those who love him.^(B)

3 See what great love^[a] the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. ² Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed.^(A) We know that when he appears,^[b] we will be like him^(B) because we will see him as he is.^{(C) 3} And everyone who has this hope^(D) in him purifies himself just as he is pure.^(E)

⁴ Everyone who commits sin practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. ⁵ You know that he was revealed so that he might take away sins,^[c](F) and there is no sin in him.^(G)