2 Timothy 4

1 I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

I solemnly charge you – in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus, who will one day judge the living and the dead – I charge you by his appearing and by his kingdom:

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Proclaim the message, be ready in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, encourage, never failing to instruct with forbearance.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

For a time will come when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will follow their own wishes, and, in their itching for novelty, procure themselves a crowd of teachers.

4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

They will turn a deaf ear to the truth, and give their attention to legends instead.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

But you, Timothy, must always be temperate. Face hardships; do the work of a missionary; discharge all the duties of your office.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

As for me, my life blood is already being poured out; the time of my departure is close at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:

I have run the great race; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

And now the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will give me on that day – and not only to me, but to all who have loved his appearing.

9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

Do your utmost to come to me soon,

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (aiōn g165)

for Demas, in his love for the world, has deserted me. He has gone to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. (aiōn g165)

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

There is no one but Luke with me. Pick up Mark on your way, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my work.

12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring [with thee], and the books, [but] especially the parchments.

Bring with you, when you come, the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Alexander, the coppersmith, showed much ill feeling towards me. The Lord will give him what his actions deserve.

15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

You must also be on your guard against him, for he is strongly opposed to our teaching.

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all [men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge.

At my first trial no one stood by me. They all deserted me. May it never be counted against them!

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

But the Lord came to my help and strengthened me, in order that, through me, the proclamation should be made so widely that all the Gentiles should hear it; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.

18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)

The Lord will rescue me from all evil, and bring me safe into his Heavenly kingdom. All glory to him for ever and ever! Amen. (aiōn g165)

19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

Give my greeting to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Thophimus ill at Miletus.

21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus and Claudia send you their greetings, and so do the rest of the Lord’s followers.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ [be] with thy spirit. Grace [be] with you. Amen.

May the Lord be with your soul. God bless you all.