⁷ I have fought the good fight,^(A) I have finished the race,^(B) I have kept the faith.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^{(B) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the powers^(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(G) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(J) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(K) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(M) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(N) and the sword of the Spirit,^(O) which is the word of God.^(P)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(Q) on all occasions^(R) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(S) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(T) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(U) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(V) make known the mystery^(W) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(X) in chains.^(Y) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(A) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^{(B) 26} Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^(C) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^{(D) 27} No, I strike a blow to my body^(E) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^(F)

³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

Final Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God,^(A) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,^(B) faith, love,^(C) endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight^(D) of the faith. Take hold of^(E) the eternal life^(F) to which you were called when you made your good confession^(G) in the presence of many witnesses.