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 adjure you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living and the dead - by his appearing and his kingdom, I adjure you -
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.
proclaim the message, be urgent in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, encourage, with never-failing patience and teaching.
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 a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome teaching, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will heap up for themselves teachers upon teachers to satisfy their own fancies.
4 They will stop listening to the truth and wander off following myths.
They will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to myths.
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, be always self-controlled, face hardships, do the work of a missionary, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I'm about to be sacrificed—the time of my death is approaching.
I for my part am a libation already being poured in sacrifice; and the time of my unmooring is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept my trust in God.
I have fought in the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have kept 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.
Henceforth there is laid up for me the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
9 Please try to come to me as soon as you can.
Do your best to come to me speedily,
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 deserted me for love of this present world, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens is 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 only is with me. Pick up Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my ministry.
12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
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 come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus; also my books, but especially my parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith caused me a lot of trouble—may God judge him for what he did.
Alexander, the coppersmith, manifested bitter hostility toward me. The Lord will requite him according to his works.
15 You watch out for him too, because he was very much against what we were saying.
Be also on your guard against him, for he has violently opposed my arguments.
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 the time of my first defense no one stood by me; on the contrary they all deserted me - may it not be laid to their charge!
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!
Nevertheless the Lord Jesus stood by me, and strengthened my heart, that through me full proclamation of the gospel might be made, and the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the lion’s jaws.
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)
And the Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and will preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen! (aiōn g165)
19 My greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to Onesiphorus's family.
Give my greetings to 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; Trophimus I left behind me ill 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.
Do try to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brotherhood.
22 The Lord be with you. May his grace be with you all.
The Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
