2 Timothy 3:10-4:8
Expanded Bible
Obey the Teachings
10 But you have followed what I teach, the way I live, my ·goal [purpose/aim (in life)], faith, patience, and love. ·You know I never give up [L …my endurance]. 11 ·You know how I have been hurt and have suffered […my persecution and suffering], as in Antioch [Acts 13:14–52], Iconium [Acts 14:1–5], and Lystra [Acts 14:6–20]. I have ·suffered [L endured such persecutions], but the Lord ·saved [rescued; delivered] me from all those troubles. 12 [L Indeed; In fact] Everyone who wants to live ·as God desires [in a godly manner], in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted. 13 But people who are evil and ·cheat others [impostors; charlatans] will go from bad to worse. ·They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves [L …deceiving and being deceived].
14 But you should continue following the teachings you learned. You ·know [are confident] they are true, ·because you trust those who taught you [L knowing from whom you learned them]. 15 Since you were a ·child [infant] you have known the ·Holy Scriptures [or sacred writings] which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is ·inspired by God [breathed out by God; L God-breathed] and is useful for teaching, for ·showing people what is wrong in their lives [refuting error; rebuking], for correcting faults, and for ·teaching how to live right [training in righteousness]. 17 ·Using the Scriptures, [L …so that] ·the person who serves God [L God’s person] will be ·capable [competent], ·having all that is needed [fully equipped] to do every good work.
4 I ·give you a command [solemnly charge you] in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, the One who will judge the living and the dead, and by his ·coming [appearing] and his kingdom: 2 Preach the ·Good News [Gospel]. Be ready ·at all times [whether it is convenient or inconvenient; in season or out of season], and ·tell people what they need to do [correct; reprove]. ·Tell them when they are wrong [Rebuke]. ·Encourage [Comfort; Exhort] them with ·great patience and careful teaching [L all patience and teaching], 3 because the time will come when people will not ·listen to [put up with; endure] the ·true [sound; healthy] teaching but will ·find many more [gather around themselves; accumulate] teachers who ·please them [meet their needs/desires] by saying the things ·they want to hear [their ears itch for]. 4 They will ·stop listening to [L turn their ears/hearing away from] the truth and will ·begin to follow [wander/turn aside to] ·false stories [myths]. 5 But you should ·control yourself [be sober-minded] at all times, ·accept troubles [endure hardships], do the work of ·telling the Good News [L an evangelist], and ·complete all the duties of a servant of God [L fulfill your service/ministry].
6 [L For] My life is being ·given as an offering to God [L poured out as a drink offering; Num. 28:24; Phil. 2:17], and the time has come for ·me to leave this life [L my departure]. 7 I have ·fought the good fight [or competed well], I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now, a ·crown [victor’s wreath] is ·being held [reserved] for me—a ·crown [victor’s wreath] ·for being right with God [L of righteousness]. The Lord, the ·judge who judges rightly [L righteous/just judge], will give the ·crown [victor’s wreath] to me on that day [C the final day of judgment and reward]—not only to me but to all those who have ·waited with love for him to come again [L loved his appearing].
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