2 Timothy 4
1 I solemnly implore you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living and the dead, and by His Appearing and His Kingship:
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
2 proclaim God's message, be zealous in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, encourage, with the utmost patience as a teacher.
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.
3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled, they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies;
[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.
4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside to fables.
That is, they will not listen to [MTY] what is true, but will listen instead to [strange] stories from our ancestors.
5 But as for you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not live a self-indulgent life, but do the duty of an evangelist and fully discharge the obligations of your office.
[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.
6 I for my part am like a drink-offering which is already being poured out; and the time for my departure is now close at hand.
[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].
7 I have gone through the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have guarded the faith.
[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).
8 From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who love the thought of His Appearing.
[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.
9 Make an effort to come to me speedily.
(Do your best/Try hard) to come to me soon.
10 For Demas has deserted me--loving, as he does, the present age--and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. (aiōn g165)
[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)
11 Luke is the only friend I now have with me. Call for Mark on your way and bring him with you, for he is a great help to me in my ministry.
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.
12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
Tychicus [cannot help me because] I sent him to Ephesus [city].
13 When you come, bring with you the cloak which I left behind at Troas at the house of Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments.
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].
14 Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me: the Lord will requite him according to his doings.
Alexander, the man who makes things from metal, did many evil/harmful things to me. The Lord will punish him for what he did.
15 You also should beware of him; for he has violently opposed our preaching.
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].
16 At my first defence I had no one at my side, but all deserted me. May it not be laid to their charge.
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].
17 The Lord, however, stood by me and filled me with inward strength, that through me the Message might be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the lion's jaws.
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.
18 The Lord will deliver me from every cruel attack and will keep me safe in preparation for His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the glory until the Ages of the Ages! Amen. (aiōn g165)
[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)
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
Greet [for me] Priscilla and [her husband] Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus stayed in Corinth; Trophimus I left behind me at Miletus, ill.
Erastus stayed in Corinth [city]. Trophimus, I left in Miletus [city] because he was sick.
21 Make an effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
(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.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
[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].
