2 TIMOTHY 4 (NIV)
- In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
- Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.
- For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
- They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
- But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
- For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.
- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Now there is in store 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 have longed for his appearing.
- Do your best to come to me quickly,
- for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
- Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
- I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
- When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
- Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
- You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
- At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
- But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.
- The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
- Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
- Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
- The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
