1

1 From Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 to Timothy, beloved child, grace, mercy and peace from God the father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve following my forebears with a clear conscience when I ceaselessly remember you in my supplications night and day,

4 longing to see you, remembering your tears, so that I may be filled with joy,

5 as I recall the unfeigned faith which is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, also in you.

6 And for this reason I remind you to rekindle the gracious gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

7 for God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and moderation.

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord nor of me his prisoner, but partake of the suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the durations of the ages,

10 but which has now been made manifest through the appearing of our saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and indefectibility to light through the gospel,

11 for the cause of which I have been appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher of the Gentiles.

12 And for this reason I suffer these things too, but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep my entrusted deposit up to that day.

13 Hold on to the model of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith, and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 Guard the good entrusted deposit through the holy spirit dwelling in us.

15 You know this, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord show mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain,

17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me very diligently and found me.

18 May the Lord let him find mercy from the Lord on that day. You also know very well in how many ways he ministered in Ephesus.

2

1 You then, my child, be strengthened in the grace which is in Christ Jesus,

2 and commit to faithful men the things which you have heard from me through many testimonies, men who will be competent to teach others too.

3 So then, suffer affliction like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No-one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the affairs of civilian life, in order that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And if anyone contends, he does not win a crown unless he contends legitimately.

6 The farmer who labours must be the first to partake of the fruits.

7 Consider the things I am saying, and may the Lord give you understanding in all matters.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David has been raised from the dead according to my gospel,

9 on account of which I suffer affliction, even of bonds like a criminal. But the word of God has not been not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, in order that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with age-abiding glory.

11 The saying is faithful: “For if we have died with him, we shall also live with him.

12 If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he too will deny us.

13 If we do not believe, he remains faithful; he cannot deny himself.”

14 Make mention of these things, testifying solemnly in the presence of the Lord not to dispute about words serving no useful purpose, so subverting those listening.

15 Be studious to present yourself approved to God, a workman with no cause for shame, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane empty talk, for it will serve to advance ungodliness even more,

17 and their words will spread like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Phyletus,

18 who have missed the mark concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they are overturning the faith of some.

19 However, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are his. And let everyone who names the name of the Lord avoid iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden ones and earthenware ones, and some are for honour and others for use without honour.

21 Therefore if anyone thoroughly cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful to the master, prepared for every good work.

22 Flee youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

23 But decline foolish and ill-informed enquiries, knowing that they give rise to strifes.

24 And a servant of the Lord must not strive, but must be gentle to all, apt to teach, forbearing,

25 in meekness teaching those who offer opposition, for the possibility that God gives them repentance leading to acknowledgment of the truth,

26 and that they regain a sober mind from the snare of the devil, having been taken alive by him at his will.

3

1 And know this, that in the last days difficult times will set in,

2 for men will be selfish, money-loving, braggarts, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 lacking natural affection, implacable, slanderous, intemperate, wild, despisers of good,

4 traitors, reckless, crazed, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness, but having denied the power of it. From these also turn away.

6 For among them are those who slip into houses and captivate silly women who are loaded with sins and led along by various desires,

7 always learning but never able to come to acknowledgment of the truth.

8 And in the way in which Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also are resisting the truth, being men of depraved mind, unfit in respect of the faith.

9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be evident to all, as was that of the above-mentioned.

10 But you have closely followed my doctrine, way of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, endurance,

11 persecutions, sufferings, such as happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra. But I endured such persecutions, and the Lord rescued me from them all.

12 Now all who wish to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

13 and wicked men and cheats will go on from bad to worse, leading astray and going astray.

14 But you remain in those things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you learned them.

15 And from childhood you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise in salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 Every scripture is inspired by God, and is useful for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 so that the man of God may be competent, fully equipped for every good work.

4

1 I solemnly testify therefore in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom,

2 preach the word, take your stand in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, comfort, with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not put up with sound doctrine, but they will heap upon themselves teachers according to their own desires, having their ears tickled,

4 and they will turn away from giving a hearing to the truth, and will turn aside to fables.

5 But you be sober in all things, suffer afflictions, carry out the work of an evangelist, bring your ministry to fulfilment,

6 for I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have completed my course, I have kept the faith.

8 Finally there is the crown of righteousness laid up for me which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day. And not only to me, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

9 Make an effort to come to me quickly.

10 For Demas has left me, having loved the present age, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for the ministry.

12 But I have sent Tychichus to Ephesus.

13 When you come, bring the cloak with you which I left behind in Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith has done me much harm – may the Lord requite him according to his works.

15 And you too be on your guard for him, for he has very much opposed our words.

16 In my first defence, no-one stood in support of me, but everyone left me. May it not be held against them.

17 The Lord was present with me and strengthened me in order that through me the preaching might be fulfilled, and all the Gentiles might hear. And I was rescued out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me for entry into his upper-heavenly kingdom. To him be glory throughout the durations of the ages. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus remained in Corinth, but I left Trophimus ailing in Miletum.

21 Make an effort to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers greet you.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.