2 Timothy 4
1 I CHARGE [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom:2 Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.5 As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.6 For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit’s] release [from the body] is at hand and I will soon go free.7 I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.8 [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day--and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).9 Make every effort to come to me soon.10 For Demas has deserted me for love of this present world and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens [has gone] to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry.12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.13 [When] you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, also the books, especially the parchments.14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great wrongs. The Lord will pay him back for his actions.15 Beware of him yourself, for he opposed and resisted our message very strongly and exceedingly.16 At my first trial no one acted in my defense [as my advocate] or took my part or [even] stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them!17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the [Gospel] message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the jaws of the lion.18 [And indeed] the Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (so be it).19 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and to the household of Onesiphorus.20 Erastus stayed on at Corinth, but Trophimus I left ill at Miletus.21 Do hasten and try your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus wishes to be remembered to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace (God’s favor and blessing) be with you. Amen (so be it).
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