4
1 I command you
therefore before
God and the
Lord Jesus Christ,
who will judge
the living and
the dead at
his appearing and
his Kingdom:
2 preach
the word; be urgent
in season and
out of season;
reprove, rebuke,
and exhort with
all patience and
teaching.
3 For
the time will
come when they
will not listen to
the sound doctrine,
but having itching ears,
will heap up for
themselves teachers
after their own
lusts,
4 and
will turn away
their ears from
the truth, and
turn away to
fables.
5 But
you be sober
in all things,
suffer hardship,
do the work
of an evangelist,
and fulfill your
ministry.
6 For
I am already
being offered, and
the time of
my departure has
come.
7 I
have fought the
good fight. I have
finished the
course. I have
kept the faith.
8 From
now on, the
crown of
righteousness is stored
up for me,
which the Lord,
the righteous
judge, will give
to me on
that day; and
not to me
only, but also
to all those
who have loved his
appearing.
9 Be diligent
to come to
me soon,
10 for
Demas left me,
having loved this
present world, and
went to
Thessalonica; Crescens
to Galatia; and
Titus to Dalmatia.
11 Only
Luke is with
me. Take Mark and
bring him with
you, for he
is useful to
me for service.
12 But
I sent Tychicus to
Ephesus.
13 Bring
the cloak that
I left at Troas
with Carpus when
you come—and
the books, especially
the parchments.
14 Alexander
the coppersmith
did much evil
to me. The
Lord will repay
him according to
his deeds.
15 Beware
of him, for
he greatly opposed
our words.
16 At
my first defense,
no one came
to help me, but
all left me.
May it not
be held against
them.
17 But
the Lord stood
by me and
strengthened me,
that through me
the message might
be fully proclaimed,
and that all
the Gentiles
might hear. So I
was delivered out
of the mouth
of the lion.
18 And
the Lord will
deliver me from
every evil work
and will preserve
me for his
heavenly Kingdom. To
him be the
glory forever and
ever. Amen.
19 Greet
Prisca and Aquila,
and the house
of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus
remained at
Corinth, but I left
Trophimus at
Miletus sick.
21 Be
diligent to come
before winter.
Eubulus salutes you,
as do Pudens,
Linus, Claudia,
and all
the brothers.
22 The
Lord Jesus Christ
be with your
spirit. Grace be
with you. Amen.