2 Timothy 4
1 Christ Jesus [is going to come back and] judge those who are living [when he comes] and those who will have died. He will judge them [concerning what rewards they deserve, and] he will rule everyone. So, [knowing that] he and God are watching [everything that we do], I solemnly/earnestly command you
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 that you proclaim the [true] message to people. Always be ready/prepared [to proclaim it], whether people want to hear it or not. [Some people are saying things that are not correct]; (refute their teaching/show why their teaching is wrong). Rebuke them when they are doing wrong. Tell them what they ought to do. Be very patient while you teach them.
proclaim the message, be urgent in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, encourage, with never-failing patience and teaching.
3 [Do these things] because there will be a time when people will not listen to good teaching. Instead, they will bring in many teachers for themselves who will tell them just what they want to hear [IDM]. [The reason that they will bring in such teachers is] that they want to do the evil things that they desire.
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 That is, they will not listen to [MTY] what is true, but will listen instead to [strange] stories from our ancestors.
They will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to myths.
5 [Furthermore, I command that] you always control what you think and do. [Be willing] to endure hardships/suffering. Your work should be telling people the message [about Christ Jesus]. As you serve [the Lord], do everything that [God has told] you to do.
But as for you, be always self-controlled, face hardships, do the work of a missionary, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 [Timothy, I say these things to] you because as for me, [it is as though] [MET] [they are now about to kill me. It is as though my blood will] be poured out {they will kill me} [as a sacrifice on the altar]; that is, [I know] that it is the time for me to die [EUP].
I for my part am a libation already being poured in sacrifice; and the time of my unmooring is at hand.
7 [And as to telling people the] good [message and defending it], I have (exerted myself thoroughly/done it with all my energy) [MET], [like a boxer does. As to doing] the work that God gave me to do, I have completed it, [like a runner who finishes] [MET] the race. [As to] what we believe, I (have been loyal to it/continue to believe it).
I have fought in the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have kept the faith.
8 [So, like people award] a prize [MET] [to the winner of a race], the Lord, who judges rightly, will give me a reward [because I have lived] righteously. He will give me that reward when [MTY] [he judges people]. And not only [will he reward] me, but he will also reward all those who very much want him to come back.
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 (Do your best/Try hard) to come to me soon.
Do your best to come to me speedily,
10 [I say that] because Demas has left me. He wanted very much [the good things that he might enjoy] [MTY] in this world [right now], and so he went to Thessalonica [city]. Crescens [went to serve the Lord] in Galatia [province], and Titus went to Dalmatia [district]. (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 Luke is the only one who is still with me [of those who were helping me. And when you come], bring Mark with you, because he is useful to help me in 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 Tychicus [cannot help me because] I sent him to Ephesus [city].
Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13 And when you come, bring the coat that I left with Carpus in Troas [city]. Also, bring the books, but (most of all/especially) [I want] (the parchments/the animal skins) [on which important things are written].
When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus; also my books, but especially my parchments.
14 Alexander, the man who makes things from metal, did many evil/harmful things to me. The Lord will punish him for what he did.
Alexander, the coppersmith, manifested bitter hostility toward me. The Lord will requite him according to his works.
15 So you, too, must beware of him. [He will try to destroy your work if he can], because he very much opposes the message that we [proclaim].
Be also on your guard against him, for he has violently opposed my arguments.
16 When I first defended myself [in court here], no one came along [to help defend] me. Instead, they all left me. [I pray] that it will not be counted against {[God] will forgive} them [LIT] [for leaving me].
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 Nevertheless, the Lord was with me and strengthened me. He enabled me to fully preach the message, and all the non-Jewish people [in the court] (OR, people from many nations) heard it. And I was rescued [by the Lord] {[the Lord] rescued me} [from great danger, as if I were taken] [MET] out of a lion’s (OR, wild animal’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 [Therefore, I am sure that] the Lord will rescue me from everything that is truly evil and will bring me safely to heaven, where he rules. Praise him forever! (Amen!/May it be so!) (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 Greet [for me] Priscilla and [her husband] Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.
Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus stayed in Corinth [city]. Trophimus, I left in Miletus [city] because he was sick.
Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left behind me ill at Miletus.
21 (Do your best/Try hard) to come to me before (the stormy season/winter). Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and many other fellow believers [in this city] (send their greetings to/say that they are thinking affectionately about) you.
Do try to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brotherhood.
22 [I pray that] the Lord will [help you in] your spirit, [Timothy, and] that [he] will act kindly toward all of you [believers who are there].
The Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
