2 Timothy 4

1 I give you a command in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, the One who will judge the living and the dead, and by his coming and his kingdom:2 Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching,3 because the time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear.4 They will stop listening to the truth and will begin to follow false stories.

5 But you should control yourself at all times, accept troubles, do the work of telling the Good News, and complete all the duties of a servant of God.
6 My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 Now, a crown is being held for me—a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day 

Personal Words

9 Do your best to come to me as soon as you can,10 because Demas, who loved this world, left me and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus went to Dalmatia.11 Luke is the only one still with me. Get Mark and bring him with you when you come, because he can help me in my work here.12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.13 When I was in Troas, I left my coat there with Carpus. So when you come, bring it to me, along with my books, particularly the ones written on parchment. 14 Alexander the metalworker did many harmful things against me. The Lord will punish him for what he did.

15 You also should be careful that he does not hurt you, because he fought strongly against our teaching.
16 The first time I defended myself, no one helped me; everyone left me. May they be forgiven.17 But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength so I could fully tell the Good News to all those who are not Jews. So I was saved from the lion’s mouth.

18 The Lord will save me when anyone tries to hurt me, and he will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory forever and ever be the Lord’s. Amen.

Final Greetings

19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.

21 Try as hard as you can to come to me before winter.
Eubulus sends greetings to you. Also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters in Christ greet you.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

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