2 Timothy 4
1 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.
I testify before God, and before Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead through his return and his kingdom:
2 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.
that you should preach the word urgently, in season and out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke, with all patience and doctrine.
3 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.
For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, according to their own desires, they will gather to themselves teachers, with itching ears,
4 They will stop listening to the truth and wander off following myths.
and certainly, they will turn their hearing away from the truth, and they will be turned toward fables.
5 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.
But as for you, truly, be vigilant, laboring in all things. Do the work of an Evangelist, fulfilling your ministry. Show self-restraint.
6 For I'm about to be sacrificed—the time of my death is approaching.
For I am already being worn away, and the time of my dissolution presses close.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept my trust in God.
I have fought the good fight. I have completed the course. I have preserved the faith.
8 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.
As for the remainder, a crown of justice has been reserved for me, one which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to those who look forward to his return.
9 Please try to come to me as soon as you can.
Hurry to return to me soon.
10 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)
For Demas has abandoned me, out of love for this age, and he has departed for Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. (aiōn g165)
11 Only Luke is here with me. Bring Mark with you, because he can help me with my work.
Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for he is useful to me in the ministry.
12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13 When you come please bring the cloak I left behind with Carpus in Troas—and the books, especially the parchments.
When you return, bring with you the supplies that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith caused me a lot of trouble—may God judge him for what he did.
Alexander the coppersmith has shown me much evil; the Lord will repay him according to his works.
15 You watch out for him too, because he was very much against what we were saying.
And you should also avoid him; for he has strongly resisted our words.
16 When it came to my first defense, no-one stood up for me—everyone abandoned me. May they not be blamed for this.
At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them!
17 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!
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching would be accomplished, and so that all the Gentiles would hear. And I was freed from the mouth of the lion.
18 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)
The Lord has freed me from every evil work, and he will accomplish salvation by his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
19 My greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to Onesiphorus's family.
Greet Prisca, and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus stayed on in Corinth. I left Trophimus behind in Miletus because he was sick.
Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
21 Please try to come before winter. Eubulus sends his best wishes—and Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters too.
Hurry to arrive before winter. Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers greet you.
22 The Lord be with you. May his grace be with you all.
May the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. May grace be with you. Amen.
