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I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign --

preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching,

for there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers -- itching in the hearing,

and indeed, from the truth the hearing they shall turn away, and to the fables they shall be turned aside.

And thou -- watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,

for I am already being poured out, and the time of my release hath arrived;

the good strife I have striven, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept,

henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of the righteousness that the Lord -- the Righteous Judge -- shall give to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all those loving his manifestation.

Be diligent to come unto me quickly,

10 for Demas forsook me, having loved the present age, and went on to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia,

11 Lukas only is with me; Markus having taken, bring with thyself, for he is profitable to me for ministration;

12 and Tychicus I sent to Ephesus;

13 the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus, coming, bring thou and the books -- especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; may the Lord repay to him according to his works,

15 of whom also do thou beware, for greatly hath he stood against our words;

16 in my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me, (may it not be reckoned to them!)

17 and the Lord stood by me, and did strengthen me, that through me the preaching might be fully assured, and all the nations might hear, and I was freed out of the mouth of a lion,

18 and the Lord shall free me from every evil work, and shall save [me] -- to his heavenly kingdom; to whom [is] the glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

19 Salute Prisca and Aquilas, and Onesiphorus' household;

20 Erastus did remain in Corinth, and Trophimus I left in Miletus infirm;

21 be diligent to come before winter. Salute thee doth Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ [is] with thy spirit; the grace [is] with you! Amen.

Continue to Do Your Work

I solemnly call on you in the presence of God and Christ Yeshua, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead. I do this because Christ Yeshua will come to rule the world. Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.

A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.

But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.

My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again.

Paul’s Final Instructions to Timothy

Hurry to visit me soon. 10 Demas has abandoned me. He fell in love with this present world and went to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens went to the province of Galatia, and Titus went to the province of Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He is useful to me in my work. 12 I’m sending Tychicus to the city of Ephesus as my representative.

13 When you come, bring the warm coat I left with Carpus in the city of Troas. Also bring the scrolls and especially the parchments.[a]

14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. 15 Watch out for him. He violently opposed what we said. 16 At my first hearing no one stood up in my defense. Everyone abandoned me. I pray that it won’t be held against them. 17 However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that I could finish spreading the Good News for all the nations to hear. I was snatched out of a lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from all harm and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever! Amen.

Final Greetings

19 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in the city of Corinth and I left Trophimus in the city of Miletus because he was sick. 21 Hurry to visit me before winter comes. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters send you greetings.

22 The Lord be with you. His good will[b] be with all of you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 4:13 Parchments are writing materials made from animal skins.
  2. 2 Timothy 4:22 Or “grace.”