Book of Common Prayer

²⁵ Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had finished their work. They brought John Mark with them.

13 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen who grew up with Herod the ruler, and Saul.

² They were worshipping the Lord and fasting [not eating food for a time]. The Holy Spirit said, `Give me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them.'

³ The men fasted and talked to God. Then they laid their hands on Barnabas and Paul and sent them on their way.

4 I say this before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge people who are living and people who are dead. I say this to you because he will come back and rule over all.

² Tell people the word of God. Be ready to do it at any time. Show people they are wrong and talk to them about it. Tell them what they should do. Be very patient with them and teach them in many ways.

³ The time is coming when people will not listen to good teaching. They will want to listen to the things they like to hear. And they will bring in many teachers who will teach them just what they want to do.

⁴ They will not listen to what is true, but will turn away and listen to strange stories.

⁵ But you, Timothy, must always be watching. Be patient in your troubles. Tell the good news. Do all the work God has given you to do.

⁶ My life is already being poured out as an offering to God. The time is here for me to leave this life.

⁷ I have fought the kind of fight that is good. I have reached the mark on the road that God wanted me to reach. And I have kept on believing in him.

⁸ From now on, my reward is waiting for me, because I have done what is right. The Lord will repay me on the day when he comes back. He judges the right way. I will not be the only one to get a reward from him. But he will repay all those who want very much to see him.

⁹ Try to come to me soon.

¹⁰ Demas has left me because he loved the things of this world. He has gone to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He helps me very much in my work.