¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he and his kingdom are coming, I’m giving you these instructions:

²Preach the word, be ready to serve God in good times and bad, correct people’s mistakes. Warn them, encourage them with words of hope, and be very patient as you do these things. Teach the people carefully,

³because the time will come when they won’t put up with good teaching. Instead, they’ll try to satisfy their own desires. They’ll gather a large number of teachers around them who will tell them what they want to hear.

⁴The people will stop listening to the truth and they’ll turn to stories that aren’t true.

⁵But as for you, stay in control of yourself no matter what happens. Don’t give up when things become difficult. Work to spread the good news. Fulfill all the responsibilities of your work.

⁶I’m already being poured out like a drink offering. It will soon be time for me to leave.

⁷I’ve fought the good fight, I’ve finished the race, I’ve kept the faith.

⁸Now there’s a crown waiting for me, the crown that’s given to those who are right with God. The Lord, who judges fairly, will give it to me on the day he returns, and not only to me, but also to all those who are longing for him to return.

Personal Words

⁹Do your best to come to me quickly.

¹⁰Demas has deserted me because he’s in love with this world. He has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

¹¹Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he’s helpful to me in my work for the Lord.

¹²I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

¹³When you come, bring the coat that I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my scrolls, especially the ones written on parchment.

¹⁴Alexander the metalworker did a great deal of harm to me. The Lord will pay him back for what he has done.

¹⁵You should watch out for him too, because he strongly opposed our message.

¹⁶The first time I was put on trial, no one came to help me. Everyone deserted me. I hope they’ll be forgiven for it.

¹⁷But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so I was able to preach the message completely, and all the Gentiles heard it. I was saved from the lion’s mouth.

¹⁸The Lord will save me from every evil attack, and he will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. May he receive glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹⁹Greet Priscilla and Aquila and those who live in the house of Onesiphorus.

²⁰Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.

²¹Do your best to get here before winter.

Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

²²May the Lord be with your spirit. May God’s grace be with you all.