⁴ This is what the Lord my God says: Take care of the sheep that are about to be slaughtered. ⁵ Those who buy them will kill them and go unpunished. Those who sell them will say, “Praise the Lord! I’ve become rich!” Even their own shepherds will have no pity on them.

⁶ The Lord declares, “I will no longer have pity on those who live in the land. I am going to hand the people over to their neighbors and their king, who will crush the land. And I won’t rescue any of them from their power.”

⁷ So I became the shepherd of the sheep that were to be slaughtered and also of the oppressed sheep. I took two shepherd staffs and named one Favor and the other Unity. And I took care of the sheep. ⁸ I got rid of three shepherds in one month. I became impatient with the sheep, and they also became disgusted with me. ⁹ So I said, “I won’t be your shepherd. Let those that are dying die. Let those that are missing stay missing. And let those that are left devour each other.”

¹⁰ Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it in pieces, to break the promise ^[a] that I had made to all the nations. ¹¹ So it was broken on that day, and the oppressed among the sheep who were watching me realized that it was the Lord’s word.

¹² Then I said to them, “If it’s alright with you, pay me my wages. But if it’s not, don’t.” And they paid me my wages—30 pieces of silver.

¹³ The Lord told me, “Give it to the potter.” So I took the 30 pieces of silver. Such a magnificent price was set by them! I gave the pieces of silver to the potter at the house of the Lord.

¹⁴ Then I broke my second staff, called Unity, in pieces, to break off the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to me, “Use the equipment of a foolish shepherd again. ¹⁶ I’m about to place a shepherd in the land. He will not take care of those that are dying. He will not search for the young. He will not heal those that have broken their legs or support those that can still stand. But he will eat the meat of the fat animals and tear off their hoofs.

Continue to Do Your Work

4 I solemnly call on you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead. I do this because Christ Jesus will come to rule ⌞the world⌟. ² 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.

³ 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. ⁴ People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.

⁵ But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.

⁶ My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. ⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. ⁸ 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

⁹ 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.