1

1 Paul, one sent off with a commission pertaining to (or: from) Christ Jesus through God's will, intent and purpose, down from, in line with and with a view to [the] promise of Life – the one [which is] resident within Christ Jesus (or: through God's design which corresponds to Life's promise, or the Promise, which is life: the one belonging to, pertaining to and from Jesus – in union with [the] Anointing),"

2 to Timothy, a beloved child (or: brought-forth one; born one): Grace and favor, mercy, peace and harmony [= shalom] – from Father God, even Christ Jesus, our Lord (or: from God [the] Father, and Christ Jesus, our Owner)."

3 I constantly hold grace in God (or: I am habitually having gratitude to God; I repeatedly possess favor, by God), in Whom (or: to, for, by or with Whom) I continually render sacred service – [handed down] from [the] ancestors (or: those born earlier; forefathers) – within a clean conscience (or: co-knowledge; a joint-knowing from shared seeing), as I constantly hold (or: am presently having) an unceasing remembrance (or: a memory which leaves no interval) about you within my expressions of need (or: seekings of aid; requests), by night and by day,"

4 constantly and fully longing (or: by habit yearning upon [you]) to see you – having been reminded and being caused to be remembering your tears – so that I may be filled full of joy,"

5 taking [other MSS: continually getting] a suggestion to my memory of the unhypocritical faith (or: the faith that is not overly critical of matters; the trust that is not deficient in its ability to sift and decide; the reliance which is not hyper-judgmental; a loyal allegiance that is not scrutinizing and judging from an inferior position, and then becoming gradually separated) resident within you, which first inhabited (made its home within) your grandmother, Lois, and then in your mother, Eunice. Now I have been persuaded and stand convinced that [it is] also within you."

6 For (or: Because of; With a view to) which cause I am periodically reminding you to habitually and progressively give life by fire again to (or: revive the fire of; cause the live coal to blaze up for; rekindle the dormant fire into flames of; to again put a spark to) God's [A reads: Christ's] effect of grace and result of favor, which has being (is; exists) within you through the imposition (or: the placing or laying upon) of my hands,"

7 for you see, God does not give to us (or: did not supply for us) a spirit of cowardice (or: a Breath-effect or attitude of timidity in us), but rather [a spirit and attitude] of ability and of power, as well as of love and of soundness in frame of mind (of wholeness in thinking; of healthiness of attitude; of sanity; of sensibility; of controlled reasonableness; of rational moderation; anatomically: of a saved diaphragm)."

8 Therefore, do not become ashamed of (or: You should not, then, be embarrassed by) the testimony of and from our Lord (or: the witness pertaining to our Master; the evidence which is our Owner), nor yet, [of; or: by] me, His bound-one (or: His prisoner). On the contrary, down from God's ability (or: in the sphere of power, which is God), experience things of bad quality (or: worthless encounters) together with [me] for the message of ease, goodness and well-being (or: But rather, corresponding to God's power, suffer evil and hardship with the evangel; But further, accept your share in bad treatment – in accord with the ability which comes from God – in [the Way of] the Good News),"

9 pertaining to and from the One delivering and calling us (or: which is rescuing, healing restoring, saving and calling us) in a set-apart calling (or: to a holy invitation; for a separated and different sacred call); not corresponding to our works (or: down from our deeds; in accord with or on the level of our [ceremonial] activities), but on the contrary, corresponding to (down from; in accord with; on the level of) His own prior placing (or: previously setting-forth; thus: definite aim and purpose which He personally is bent on achieving), even grace: that [which is] being given to us within Christ Jesus (or: corresponding to His own predetermined purpose and the favor being given to us, [which is] belonging to and pertaining to Jesus, resident within Christ), before times having the qualities and characteristics of the ages (before [the] age-lasting time periods; prior to eonian times; = before [the] time segments of [the] ages [began]),"

10 and now (at the present moment), being set in clear light so as to become visible (or: manifested) through the bringing to full light (or: the complete shining upon; the full appearance in light; the complete manifestation by light) of our Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer), Christ Jesus – on the one hand, idling down death (or: The Death) so as to make it unproductive and useless, yet on the other hand, illuminating (giving light to) life and incorruptibility (the absence of the ability to decay; un-ruinableness) through means of the message of goodness, ease and well-being –"

11 into which (or: into Whom) I am placed (or: I was put): a herald (a public announcer; a proclaimer; a preacher) – even a person sent off with a mission (an envoy; a representative; or: = a messenger) – and a teacher [other MSS add: of the ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles; Goyim; non-Jews)]."

12 For (Because of; In view of) which cause I am also continuously experiencing (also: feeling; being affected by; suffering) these things. But still, I am not feeling shame (or: I am not experiencing embarrassment), for I have seen and thus know by Whom I have believed and now put my trust (or: in Whom I have relied and continue placing confidence), and I have been persuaded and am continuing convinced that He is able (He continues being powerful) to watch over, guard and protect – on into that Day – the deposit placed alongside of me (or: what is entrusted to my charge)."

13 Keep on holding an outline and pattern (that which underlies and delineates the sketch or model) of words that continue giving health, healing and a cure (or: Habitually have a model of thoughts, ideas and messages [that] are being progressively sound and healthful) – ones of which you heard (or: hear) from my side – within the midst of faith (or: in union with trust) and love: that [which is] resident within Christ Jesus. (or: Continually be possessing the under-type – the one within [the] Anointing of Jesus – of healthful discourses and conversations which you heard from me, in faith and love.)"

14 Watch over, guard and protect the beautiful deposit placed alongside [you] (or: the fine and excellent thing that is entrusted to [your] charge) through means of [the] set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit) [that is] continuously inhabiting us (or: by a set-apart spirit: the one constantly making its home within us)."

15 You have seen, and thus know this, that all those within [the province of] Asia were turned away from me – of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes."

16 May the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] give mercy to the house (or: household) of Onesiphorus, because many times (often; frequently) he refreshed me (he breathed back cool on me; he souled me up again), and he was not ashamed of (or: embarrassed by) my chain (= my imprisonment)."

17 On the contrary, on coming to be in Rome, he urgently (quickly; diligently) searched for (or: seeks) me, and found (or: finds) me."

18 May the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] give to him to find mercy, beside [the] Lord [= Yahweh or Christ], within that Day! And how much (or: how many things) he gave in attending service within Ephesus, you yourself, by intimate experience, continue knowing better."

2

1 You, then, my child (or: one born of me), be habitually enabled (continuously and progressively empowered; repeatedly made powerful inside) within the grace, and in union with the favor, [which are] within Christ Jesus (or: [by being] in union with [the] Anointing of Jesus)."

2 And whatever you hear (or: heard) from my side through many witnesses, at once place (or: set) these things to the side for people full of faith (or: deposit and commit these things, in trust for safekeeping, to trustworthy and loyal people; inculcate these things in reliable humans) – whosoever will be competent (or: adequately qualified) to also teach others (or: different folks)."

3 Experience things of bad quality (or: worthless encounters) together (or: Accept your share of bad treatment and evil) as a beautiful (ideal; fine) soldier of Christ Jesus."

4 No one serving a tour of duty as a soldier (currently performing military service or being at war) habitually intertwines or entangles himself in (or: by) everyday affairs (undertakings and activities; business performances) of the course of life (or: of making a living), in order that he may please (or: be acceptable to) the one enlisting him in military service (the one collecting soldiers to gather an army)."

5 So also, if anyone may be repeatedly competing in the athletic games, he is not normally being crowned with a winner's wreath if he does not compete lawfully (according to the rules of the game)."

6 It is constantly binding (It is of continual necessity) for the farmer (or: field worker) that is habitually laboring in the field to be repeatedly first in taking a share of the fruits."

7 [So] give constant thought to (or: Continually put your mind to, so as to perceive and understand) what I am now saying, for you see, the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] will continue giving comprehension and understanding (a sending and bringing things together into union) to you (for you; in you) within all things and among all people."

8 Be habitually keeping in mind (or: remembering) Jesus Christ, being the One having been aroused and raised, and now continuing risen, forth from out of the midst of dead folks: from out of David's seed! (or: = [Who came] forth from David's descendants.) – corresponding to and in the sphere of my message of goodness, ease and well-being (or: in line with the good news that came through me),"

9 in which I am continually experiencing bad situations (suffering evil; experiencing bad treatment and conditions of poor quality) to the point of bonds (fetters or imprisonment) as a worthless worker (a criminal; one who acts badly; a worker of evil), but by comparison, the Word of God (or: God's thought, idea and message) has not been bound or imprisoned, and thus remains untied!"

10 Because of this [fact], I continue remaining under to support all people and to patiently endure all [situations], on account of (= for the sake of) the selected and picked-out folks (the chosen-out people; the elect group; the choice ones), to the end that they, also, may hit the target of deliverance (rescue; health and wholeness; salvation) – that [which is] within Christ Jesus (or: the one pertaining to Jesus, resident within Christ: inherent in the Anointing) – together with glory (or: an appearance; an opinion; an imagination; a manifestation which calls forth praise) which has the characteristics and qualities of the Age (or: eonian glory; an age-lasting reputation)."

11 The Word (or: Logos) [is] full of faith. (or: Trustworthy [is] this statement and the message:) For since we died together with [Him] (or: For if we jointly die), we will also continue living together (or: proceed jointly living; constantly co-live);"

12 since we are continuously remaining under for support (or: if we continue patiently enduring), we will also continue reigning (ruling as kings) together with [Him]; if we shall continue denying (disowning; not consenting; renouncing; turning our back on [other MSS: are repeatedly denying]) [Him], That One also will continue denying (disowning; not consenting to; renouncing; turning His back on) us."

13 [Yet] if we are habitually faithless (or: unfaithful; untrustworthy; disloyal; without trust or faith), That One is constantly remaining faithful (or: [Now] if we are repeatedly disbelieving or distrustful, That One continuously remains full of faith, trust, belief and reliance – That One constantly remains loyal and reliable), for to deny (disown; renounce; not consent to) Himself, it continues that He cannot (He is not able; He has no power)! (or: = You see, He cannot turn His back on Himself!)"

14 [So] keep reminding [them of] (or: suggesting to [their] memory; causing [them] to think about) these things, repeatedly bearing thorough witness (giving full evidence and testimony) in the sight and presence of God [other MSS: {the} Lord {= Christ or Yahweh}], not to be constantly debating (or: fighting about words; contending over meaning of terms; entering into controversies) – [progressing] into [other MSS: upon] nothing useful or profitable; [leading] on to a downturn (or: an overturning; an upsetting; a negative turn of events [= the opposite of edifying]) of, or for, those folks continuing to listen and hear [it]."

15 Make haste, with earnest endeavor and diligence, to place yourself alongside as an approved and qualified workman, in and by God (or: to hand yourself over to and for God, as a tried and approved workman), one without cause for shame, consistently cutting a straight and direct [path {cf Prov. 3:6 and 11:5, LXX} in, to, or with] the Word of the Truth (or: habitually cutting an upright and erect [line through] the Word of Truth; continually cutting with the message of reality in a straight direction; constantly making a straight cut {or: wound} with the speech of this Reality; also: = dealing straightforwardly with the discourse of Reality; or: repeatedly dividing and marking out straight [boundaries] by the Reason which is Truth)."

16 Yet continue staying at the periphery, going out around so as to avoid the profane, empty voices (the speeches or discussions without content which cross the threshold into the sphere of that which is not set-apart). You see, they will cut a passage forward (progress; advance) upon more aspects of irreverence (things pertaining to impiety or attitudes that lack awe),"

17 and their word (speech; discussion; or: thoughts and ideas) will have (or: hold) pasture (or: pasturage) for gnawing and eating away like gangrene (or: a spreading ulcer) – of which sort are Hymenaeus and Philetus,"

18 the very ones who miss the mark, deviating around the truth (or: reality), repeatedly saying a [other MSS: the] resurrection has already occurred, and constantly turn back (or: turn again; overturn) the faith, trust and loyalty of certain folks (or: of some)."

19 Nevertheless (or: However), God's firm and solid deposit which is placed down (a deposit of money; treasure; or: a foundation; basis) stands, continuing to hold (or: have) this seal: "[The] Lord [= Yahweh] knows (or: knew) by intimate experience those being of Him (or: the ones that belong to Him; those having Him as their source), " [Num. 16:5; Nah. 1:7] and: "Let everyone repeatedly naming the Name of [the] Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] (or: by habit using the Lord's name) stand away from (withdraw from; keep away from) injustice (that which is unfair and inequitable, which negates relationship and does not correspond to the Way pointed out).” [Num. 16:26]"

20 Now within a great house (= a palace), there are not only golden and silver containers, equipment and utensils, but also wooden ones and earthenware (ones made of baked clay). And on the one hand some which [come] into [use for] honor (things of value; = to be used on special occasions), on the other hand some which [come] into [use for] dishonor (things without value; = for everyday use)."

21 If, then, anyone should ever clean himself out from these [aforementioned worthless, dishonorable and common] things, he will proceed being a container (or: utensil; piece of equipment) [placed] into [use for] honor and things of worth, having been set aside (dedicated and being one made sacred and holy) for honorable and valuable use by the Owner (Master of the house), one having been made ready and now being prepared, [directed and now proceeding] into every good work (or: virtuous action)."

22 So repeatedly take flight away from the youthful (juvenile; adolescent) over-desires (or: rushing upon innovative things; or: full passions for revolutionary or modern wants), yet constantly run after and steadily pursue justice (fair and equitable dealings, in rightwised relationships corresponding to the Way pointed out; also = covenant participation), faith (trust; fidelity), love [and] peace, together with all those persistently (repeatedly; habitually) calling upon the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] from out of a clean heart."

23 Yet further, consistently refuse (avoid; request to be away from) the stupid (dull; silly; foolish) and uneducated (ignorant; crude; untrained) questionings (seekings through discussions or debates; controversies), having seen and now knowing that they are repeatedly giving birth to (or: generating) fights (battles; conflicts)."

24 Now it is continually binding for (or: it is a constant necessity to) a slave of [the] Lord (= Yahweh's or Christ's slave) not to be habitually fighting (or: it is not necessary for the Lord's slave to be battling or contending), but to the contrary [he/she] is to be gentle (kind; mild) toward all, qualified, skillful and able in teaching, one holding up under poor conditions (or: having an upward focus in bad situations; holding an “up attitude” in regard to evil),"

25 in accommodating meekness and with consideration constantly educating (training; disciplining; instructing; correcting) those habitually setting themselves in complete opposition or who offer resistance. May not God at some time give a change of thinking to them (or: Would not God grant in them and supply for them a change of mind), [directing and leading them] into a full and accurate experiential knowledge of Truth and reality?"

26 And then they can and may sober up (or: would come back to their proper senses) from out of the adversary's snare (or: forth from out of the midst of the trap of the person who thrusts something through folks) – being folks having been [previously] captured alive under (or: by) him, into the will (intent; design; purpose) of that one (or: that person)."

3

1 Now progressively come to know this and continue realizing it, that within [the] last (or: final) days hard seasons (difficult occasions and situations; irksome, perilous or fierce seasons or situations that are hard to deal with; hard appointed periods) will progressively set themselves in (take a stand within; put themselves in place),"

2 for the people (the humans; mankind) will continue being folks that are fond of themselves (self-loving; selfish), fond of silver (= have affection for money or things of monetary value which makes them stingy), empty pretenders (impostors; ostentatious self-assumers), haughty and arrogant (superior-appearing), blasphemers (abusive slanderers; folks who defame with a false image; or: light-hinderers), uncompliant and disobedient to parents, ungrateful (or: unthankful), undutiful (disloyal; without regard for divine or natural laws; malign),"

3 without natural affection, unwilling to make a treaty (implacable; not open to an agreement), devils (adversarial slanderers; folks who throw or thrust something through people to hurt or cause divisions), without strength (without [self-] control), uncultivated (wild; untamed; ferocious; fierce), without fondness for expressions of good or aspects of goodness (or: without affection for good people; unfriendly; averse to virtue),"

4 betrayers (traitors), rash (forward-falling; reckless), folks having been inflated with the fumes of conceit (or: ones being beclouded in smoke), pleasure-lovers (ones fond of [their own] gratification) rather than friends of God (ones fond of God),"

5 continuously holding (having) a form of reverence (virtuous conduct; pious awe) yet being folks having refused (or: turned their back on) and now denying its power and ability! And so, be habitually turning your steps in a direction away from these folks and avoid them,"

6 for you see, forth from out of the midst of these folks are the people repeatedly slipping-in, into the houses, (or: worming their way into households) and habitually leading into captivity little women [note: this is the diminutive of "women, " thus, perhaps: women of undeveloped character, ability, or inward stature. While the word for “woman” is feminine, the noun “little women” and the following participles are neuter – or neutral – so this rare word may be a figure for what was a cultural view for “feminine” aspects of all people, e.g., their feelings and emotions, or general receptive qualities] – those having been piled on and now being heaped up with failures (errors; misses of the target; deviations from the goal; sins), being constantly, or from time to time, led by (or: in; to) various (diverse; many-colored) over-desires (or: full passions; wants and wishes that are rushed upon) [A adds: and gratifications],"

7 at all times (or: always) folks [note: again a neuter, or neutral, participle] that are constantly learning, and yet not at any time being able or having consistent power to come into a full, accurate experiential and intimate knowledge of Truth (or: reality)."

8 Now, in the manner which (or: by the turn or method that) Jannes and Jambres took a stand in opposition to (or: resisted and opposed) Moses, thus, also, these are continually taking a stand in opposition to (opposing and resisting) the Truth and reality: people (humans) being ones having had the mind decayed down (ruined and spoiled down; corrupted; depraved; put into a sorry state), folks failing to meet the test (disqualified ones) on all sides of (or: about) the faith (or: = ones whose trust does not pass the test from any angle)."

9 But they will continue making no further progress (not be cutting a passage forward) upon more [folks] (or: Nevertheless, they won't get very far), for their mindlessness (madness; lack of understanding; folly) will be quite evident (very plain; obvious; outstanding and in clear visibility) to all, even as the [madness] of those [two, i.e., Jannes and Jambres] came to be."

10 Yet you, yourself, follow (or: followed) closely beside me: in the teaching, by the instruction and with the training; in the leading, by the guidance for conduct; in the purpose (or: with the fore-setting or by forth-setting; to and for the proposal; [used of setting-forth of the loaves in the holy place of the Temple: Mat. 12:4; Heb. 9:2]); in the trust, for the faith, by the conviction and with the faithful loyalty; in and by the long-waiting to be in a heat and breathe violently (or: with long-suffering patience); in and with the accepting love; in and by the steadfast remaining-under (or: with persevering, patient endurance while giving support);"

11 in (or: by) the pursuits and with persecutions; in and by the effects of the experiences and with results of the sufferings – the sort of things that were birthed in me and happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra; the sort of pursuits and persecutions which I bear up under (or: carried-on under) and yet out of the midst of which the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] drags (or: snatched) me forth from all of them."

12 And indeed (or: And so) all those habitually resolving (intending; willing) to be continuously living in a reverent, devout and pious manner with virtuous conduct from ease and goodness within Christ Jesus will be repeatedly pursued, persecuted and harassed."

13 Now people of a bad condition and of an harmful disposition (useless and malicious humans who bring misery and hard labor), as well as sorcerers (folks who wail and cast spells; or: impostors and swindlers; those who juggle a situation), will continue cutting a path forward upon the worse (or: will be advancing and making progress from bad to worse), repeatedly leading [folks] astray (or: causing [folks] to wander [from the Path]) and progressively being led astray (or: caused to wander)."

14 Yet you, yourself, be constantly remaining within what you learned and in those things of which you were persuaded and became convinced (became assured), having seen, and so knowing, from whose (what folks') side you learned [these things],"

15 and that from an infant (babe) you have seen and thus know [the] sacred Scriptures (or: Temple writings): the ones being constantly able (those continuously having power) to give you wisdom – [that leads you] into deliverance (wholeness, good health, rescue and salvation) – through Jesus' faith, resident within Christ (or: through means of the faith and trust that [exists] in Jesus [the] Anointed; by faith which is Jesus in union with an Anointing)."

16 All Scripture [is] God-breathed, and [is] beneficial to furtherance toward instruction (or: Every inspired-of-God [temple] writing [is] also profitable {of advantage; [gives] augmentation} with a view to teaching and training), toward (with a view to) testing unto proof (or, negatively: exposure; laying bare), toward full restoration to straightness (or: straightening-up upon; = improvement), toward child-training (education; discipline) of the person within the Way pointed out (the one in rightwised [covenantal] relationships with fair and equitable dealing),"

17 to the end that God's [corporate] Person (or: the person belonging to God; the human having his origin in God; humanity in relation to God) may be exactly fitted (can exist being precisely prepared; would be entirely suited), being one having been completely furnished and equipped toward every good work (with a view to every virtuous and excellent action)."

4

1 I am habitually giving thorough witness (or: constantly testifying and showing evidence in every direction), in the sight of God – even Christ Jesus: the One now being about to be progressively separating living folks and dead folks (or: continuously making a decision about or judging living ones and dead ones) down from (in accord with; corresponding to; in the sphere of; in respect to; in line with; [other MSS: even]) His full manifestation and His reign (or: [with other MSS: and then] His added display as well as His sovereign kingdom activity)."

2 Herald (Proclaim; Preach) the Word (The Logos; the idea; the thought; the reason; the message); stand upon [it; or: It; Him] in season or out of season (if the situation fits favorably, if the conditions are not favorable; whether convenient or not); test and put to the proof; show further honor (give higher value; assess greater worth; or, negatively: respectfully charge; strongly admonish; enjoin); within every emotion which is long in arriving (in all long-suffering patience), and by teaching (or: in union with instruction and training) give aid, relief, comfort and encouragement as you call [others] to your side (perform as a paraclete)."

3 For you see, there will be an appointed season (a situation; a fitting period of time) when they will not continue holding up to themselves (or: sustaining; holding themselves upright by; holding themselves up in; or: putting up with; tolerating) instruction (teaching and training) that is being continuously healthy and sound, but rather, they, habitually having their ear gratified by rubbing, scratching or tickling (having their hearing titillated; hearing what their ears itch to hear; or, as a middle: constantly procuring pleasurable excitement by indulging an itching) will progressively pile and heap upon themselves (accumulate for themselves) teachers in line with and corresponding to their own rushing emotions (over-desires; full passions),"

4 and then, on the one hand, they will proceed to twist the ear (or: the hearing) and turn away from the Truth and reality, yet on the other hand, they will be progressively turned out (have their [steps] turned out of [the Path] into a direction) upon the myths (fictions; legends; speeches; rumors; stories; tales; fables; things delivered by word of mouth)."

5 Yet you – you be habitually sober (not intoxicated [by such things]; clear-headed and steady) within all things and among all people; experience the bad and the ugly (or: suffer the evil and the worthless) [A adds: as an ideal (beautiful; fine; excellent) soldier of Christ Jesus]; perform [the] act (do [the] deed; produce the action; construct a work) of one who brings goodness and well-being and announces ease and good news (or: act [like] a man who has good news to tell); be fully bent on and bring your attending service to full measure, with complete assurance and absolute certainty!"

6 You see, I, myself, am already being progressively poured out as a drink offering, and the fitting situation (the season; the occasion) of my loosing up (or: my kairos of loosening again [the tent pegs and ropes, or, the ship moorings]; or: the situation of my dissolution [as in breaking camp]) has taken its stand upon [its appointed place] and is imminent."

7 I have contended the beautiful contest in the racecourse (or: I have with agony struggled, wrestling in the ideal combat {the fine fight} in the public games); I have finished the race (ended the racecourse; reached the goal of my contest; I have fought to the finish); I have kept (observed; watched over; guarded; kept in custody) the faith, trust, confidence and loyalty."

8 For the rest (or: Finally; Henceforth) the winner's wreath of the Course having been pointed out (the athlete's laurel wreath consisting of the rightwised relationship in fair and equitable dealings, and pertaining to the justice of right behavior on the course; or: = the wreath from covenant inclusion and participation) continues laid away for me (or: is presently reserved in me), which the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], the Fair (Equitable; Just; Rightwising; [Covenant]) Judge [of the games], will proceed to pay to (or: award in) me within the sphere of that Day – yet not only to me! ... but further, also, to all those (or: in everyone) being ones having loved His full appearance in Light (or: the complete manifestation of Him; His fully bringing things to light; the shining upon things pertaining to Him; His full and accurate manifestation)."

9 Make haste with earnest endeavor and diligence to come to me quickly,"

10 for you see, Demas, loving the present age, forsook and abandoned me and went into Thessalonica; Crescens into Galatia; Titus into Dalmatia."

11 Only Luke is with me. Picking up Mark, be bringing [him] with you, for he continues being very useful to me, with a view to attending service"

12 – now I sent off Tychicus with a mission into Ephesus –"

13 [and] in coming, be bringing the traveling cloak, which I left behind in Toras with Carpus, and the little scrolls – especially the parchment notebooks (or: vellum [note: which is made from dressed animal skins]). [note: the Greek 'phailones/phelones', here translated "traveling cloak, " literally means "bark." The Syriac version renders it "valise; book carrier." Vincent notes that the 5th century lexicographer Hesychius (of Alexandria) explained this word as a "case." He also says Phrynicus (3rd century) describes it as a receptacle for books or other things, and that this word "a wrapper of parchments" was translated figuratively in Latin by toga or paenula "a cloak." Nevertheless, Vincent and most other scholars stay with the traditional rendering, "cloak."]"

14 Alexander the coppersmith (or: metalworker) displayed many bad (worthless; evil) things [in his behavior] to me – the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] will continue awarding to him (or: giving back in him; paying back for him) corresponding to his works (down from his deeds and on the level of his actions)"

15 – from whom you, yourself, also be constantly guarding yourself against, for he stands (or: stood) in opposition to our words (or: thoughts, ideas and messages)."

16 Within my first verbal defense no one happened to be beside me (no one came along with me), but rather, all forsook (abandoned; other MSS: were forsaking and abandoning) me – may it not be put to their account (may it not be counted against them)!"

17 Yet the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] took a stand beside me (or: stood alongside in me) – and He empowered me (enabled me; gave me inward ability), to the end that through me the message that is being heralded (the contents of the public proclamation) would (or: may; could) be fully carried throughout with complete assurance, to full measure, and with absolute certainty, and so [that] all the ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles; Goyim; non-Jews) would (could; may) hear [it] – and I was dragged (or: drawn) from out of the mouth of a lion!"

18 The Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] will continue dragging (or: drawing) me away from every harmful act (malicious or evil work) and will continue delivering me into the midst of the reign and kingdom – the one [having dominion] upon the heavens (or: into the realm of His activities and way of doing things: the one [exercising authority] upon, and which can be compared to, the atmosphere) – which is from Him and belongs to Him, in Whom [is] the glory (or: for Whom [is] the reputation; by Whom [is] the manifestation of that which calls forth praise; to Whom [is] the good opinion), on into the ages of the ages (or: into the principle ages which consummate all the ages; into the obscure time periods of the ages). It is so! (Amen)"

19 Embrace Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus, as you give them my greetings."

20 Erastus remains in Corinth, but Trophimus, continuing weak in sickness, I left behind in Miletus."

21 – Make haste with earnest endeavor and diligence to come before winter (the rainy and stormy season)! – Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers (= fellow believers) each send hugs and good wishes."

22 The Lord [= Yahweh or Christ; A reads: Jesus; others: Jesus Christ] [is] with your spirit ([is] in accompany with your breath)! Grace and favor [are] with you folks. It is so! (Amen.) [written circa A. D. 58 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]"