2 Timothy 4

Charge to Timothy Repeated

1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:2 Preach the message,t be readyt whether it is convenient or not,t reprove, rebuke, exhortt with complete patience and instruction.3 For there will be a time when peoplet will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires,t they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.t4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.s5 You, however, be self-controlledt in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.6 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to departt is at hand.7 I have competed well;s I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!

8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection ont his appearing.

Travel Plans and Concluding Greetings

9 Make every effort to come to me soon.10 For Demas deserted me, since he lovedt the present age, and he went to Thessalonica.s Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great helpt to me in ministry.t12 Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.s13 When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments.14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm.tThe Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.s15 You be on guard against himt too, because he vehemently opposed our words.16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it.17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the messaget would be fully proclaimedt for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth!

18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safelyt into his heavenly kingdom. To himt be glory for ever and ever!t Amen.
19 Greetings tot Prisca and Aquilas and the family of Onesiphorus.20 Erastus stayed in Corinth.s Trophimus I left ill in Miletus.21 Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.t

22 The Lords be with your spirit. Grace be with you.s

2 Timothy 4

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you 2 to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. 3 The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. 4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends.

5 But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.
6 As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. 7 I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith.t

8 And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day—and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear.

Personal Words

9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me, going off to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me in the work. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 When you come, bring my coat that I left in Troas with Carpus; bring the books too, and especially the ones made of parchment.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me great harm; the Lord will reward him according to what he has done.

15 Be on your guard against him yourself, because he was violently opposed to our message.
16 No one stood by me the first time I defended myself; all deserted me. May God not count it against them! 17 But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength, so that I was able to proclaim the full message for all the Gentiles to hear; and I was rescued from being sentenced to death.

18 And the Lord will rescue me from all evil and take me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Final Greetings

19 I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and to the family of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus, because he was sick.

21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia send their greetings, and so do all the other Christians.

22 The Lord be with your spirit. God's grace be with you all.