2 Timothy 4
1 I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge living and dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,
This is what I instruct you to do before God and Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead when he comes to establish his kingdom.
2 proclaim the word; be urgent in season [and] out of season, convict, rebuke, encourage, with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Speak God's word whether it is convenient or not, tell people where they're going wrong, warn them, encourage them. Do this with a great deal of patient teaching.
3 For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;
For the time is coming when people won't bother to listen to true teaching. Instead they will be curious to listen to something different, and will surround themselves with teachers who'll tell them what they want to hear.
4 and they will turn away their ear from the truth, and will have turned aside to fables.
They will stop listening to the truth and wander off following myths.
5 But thou, be sober in all things, bear evils, do [the] work of an evangelist, fill up the full measure of thy ministry.
You need to keep your wits about you at all times. Put up with troubles, do the work of sharing the good news, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is come.
For I'm about to be sacrificed—the time of my death is approaching.
7 I have combated the good combat, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept my trust in God.
8 Henceforth the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me in that day; but not only to me, but also to all who love his appearing.
Now there's a prize reserved for me—the crown for a life lived according to what is good and right. The Lord, (who is the judge that always does what's right), will give that to me on that Day. And not just to me, but to everyone who longs for his coming.
9 Use diligence to come to me quickly;
Please try to come to me as soon as you can.
10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved the present age, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. (aiōn g165)
Demas has abandoned me because he loves the things of this world more, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. (aiōn g165)
11 Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring [him] with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry.
Only Luke is here with me. Bring Mark with you, because he can help me with my work.
12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 The cloak which I left behind [me] in Troas at Carpus's, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.
When you come please bring the cloak I left behind with Carpus in Troas—and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the smith did many evil things against me. The Lord will render to him according to his works.
Alexander the coppersmith caused me a lot of trouble—may God judge him for what he did.
15 Against whom be thou also on thy guard, for he has greatly withstood our words.
You watch out for him too, because he was very much against what we were saying.
16 At my first defence no man stood with me, but all deserted me. May it not be imputed to them.
When it came to my first defense, no-one stood up for me—everyone abandoned me. May they not be blamed for this.
17 But the Lord stood with [me], and gave me power, that through me the proclamation might be fully made, and all [those of] the nations should hear; and I was delivered out of the lion's mouth.
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that I could declare the whole of the message so that all the foreigners could hear it. I was rescued out of the lion's mouth!
18 The Lord shall deliver me from every wicked work, and shall preserve [me] for his heavenly kingdom; to whom [be] glory for the ages of ages. Amen. (aiōn g165)
The Lord will rescue me from all the evil things done against me, and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. His is the glory forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
My greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to Onesiphorus's family.
20 Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind in Miletus sick.
Erastus stayed on in Corinth. I left Trophimus behind in Miletus because he was sick.
21 Use diligence to come before winter. Eubulus salutes thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and the brethren all.
Please try to come before winter. Eubulus sends his best wishes—and Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters too.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Grace [be] with you.
The Lord be with you. May his grace be with you all.
