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 charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing, in 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.
preach the word, be instant both in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and instruction.
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 the time will come, when they will not bear sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap up to themselves teachers after their own hearts:
4 They will stop listening to the truth and wander off following myths.
and turn away their attention from the truth, and be turned aside to 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 be thou watchful in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, give full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I'm about to be sacrificed—the time of my death is approaching.
For I am now going to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is near.
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 finished my 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.
As to what remains, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day: and not to me only, but also to all those who have longed for his appearance.
9 Please try to come to me as soon as you can.
Endeavour to come to me soon: for Demas hath forsaken me,
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)
through love of this world, and is gone to Thessalonica; as is Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia: Luke only is with me. (aiōn g165)
11 Only Luke is here with me. Bring Mark with you, because he can help me with my work.
Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is useful to me in the ministry.
12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
And I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 When you come please bring the cloak I left behind with Carpus in Troas—and the books, especially the parchments.
When thou comest, bring with thee the cloke, that I left at Troas with Carpus; 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 brazier did me many ill turns: the Lord will reward him according to his deeds.
15 You watch out for him too, because he was very much against what we were saying.
Of whom do thou also beware: for he hath greatly opposed our doctrine.
16 When it came to my first defense, no-one stood up for me—everyone abandoned me. May they not be blamed for this.
In my first defence no one stood by me, but all men forsook me: God grant it may 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!
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that by me the gospel might be fully spread, and that all the nations might hear: and so I was delivered out of 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)
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory throughout all ages. Amen. (aiōn g165)
19 My greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to Onesiphorus's family.
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus stayed on in Corinth. I left Trophimus behind in Miletus because he was sick.
Erastus staid at Corinth, and I left Trophimus 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.
Endeavour therefore to come to me before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and indeed all the brethren.
22 The Lord be with you. May his grace be with you all.
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you all. Amen.
