Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me power to tell the good news. I thank him because he believed he could trust me, and he chose me for this work.

¹³ There was a time when I did not respect him. I troubled his people. I said wrong things about him. But he was very kind to me, because I did not know what I was doing and I did not believe in him.

¹⁴ Our Lord showed me much love and kindness. I believed in him and had the love which comes from Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ These are true words and everyone should believe them. `Christ Jesus came into the world to save bad people.' And I am the worst of all.

¹⁶ Jesus Christ wanted to show that he is very, very patient. And so he was kind to me who was the worst. He did this so that others would believe in him and live for ever.

¹⁷ Give honour and praise for ever and ever to the one who is King for ever. He will never die. He cannot be seen. He is the only God. Yes, he is!

¹⁸ My son Timothy, here is what I tell you to do. And it is what the prophets said about you before. Remember their words, and fight like a good soldier.

¹⁹ Keep on believing. Do only what you know is right. Some people have not done that and they have stopped believing.

²⁰ Hymenaeus and Alexander are among them. I have given them to Satan so that they will be punished and learn not to teach things that do not respect God.