1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will according to the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus,
2 to Timothy, my dearly beloved son. May grace, mercy, [and] peace [be yours] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God--whom I serve from [my] forefathers with a pure conscience--that without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
4 greatly desiring to see you--remembering your tears--that I may be filled with joy
5 when I remember the sincere faith that is in you, which first resided in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, and I am convinced is in you also.
6 Therefore I want to remind you to rekindle the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.
7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
8 Therefore don't be ashamed of our Lord's testimony or of me, a prisoner for him, instead share the afflictions with me for the gospel by the power of God,
9 who has saved and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own plan and grace, which was given us by Christ Jesus before the world began.
10 But now is clearly seen by the arrival of our Savior Jesus Christ who has deprived death of its influence and thrown the light on life and immortality through the gospel.
11 For which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 It is for this reason that I suffer these things. Nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep safe what I have committed to him for that day.
13 Hold on to this model of sound teaching, which you heard from me, with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.
14 The good thing, which was entrusted to you, keep safe by the [help] of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
15 You know this that all those in Asia have forsaken me even Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord give the family of Onesiphorus mercy, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my bonds.
17 When he was in Rome, he sought for me very diligently and found me.
18 May the Lord grant him that he may find mercy from the Lord on that day. You know very well how much he gave help to me at Ephesus.
1 Therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus
2 and what you heard from me--supported by many witnesses. Commit the same to trustworthy men who will be able to teach others also.
3 So then endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one on military duty involves himself in matters of livelihood, so that he may please him who enlisted him.
5 Also if one competes in a tournament, he isn't crowned the victor unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The farmer who works hard must be the first to eat from the harvest.
7 Think about what I am saying, and may the Lord give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.
9 For which I suffer hardships like an evildoer, even shackles, but the Word of God is not tied down.
10 Therefore I endure all this for the sake of the elect, so that they may also receive the salvation--which is in Christ Jesus--with eternal glory.
11 This is a true saying, "For if we are dead with him, we will also live with him.
12 "If we suffer with him, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.
13 "If we are not faithful, he remains faithful; he cannot be untrue to himself."
14 Help them to remember these things, emphasize [to them]--in the sight of the Lord--not to argue about words, which is totally unprofitable except to bring devastation to the listeners.
15 Be earnest to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly handling the Word of Truth.
16 Stay away from irreverent and fruitless discussions, for they will increase into greater ungodliness,
17 and their words will eat away like gangrene; some of these are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who--concerning the truth--have erred, saying that the resurrection has already come and cause the downfall of some people's faith.
19 Nevertheless the foundation [placed] by God stands sure having this official seal, "The Lord knows those who are his." And, "Let every one who identifies with the name of Christ depart from wrongdoing."
20 Now in a mansion there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earth, some for honorable uses and some for dishonorable uses.
21 Therefore if anyone completely cleanses himself from these [dishonorable things], he will be a vessel for honor, made holy and useful for the master's use, and ready for every good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth, instead follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call upon the Lord out of purified heart.
23 Avoid foolish and stupid questions, knowing that they breed hostilities.
24 Also the Lord's servant must not get into angry arguments but be gentle to all, ready to teach, forbearing,
25 calmly explaining to those who are actively antagonistic, if perhaps God will give them repentance for acknowledging the truth,
26 and that they may return to sober thinking out of the devil's snare, who ensnares to do his will.
1 Know this also, that in the last days perilous times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, braggers, arrogant, users of abusive language, disobedient to parents, unthankful, having ungodly attitudes,
3 hardhearted, impossible to please, false accusers, unable to control themselves, fierce, despise those who are good,
4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having an appearance of godliness but not allowing its power over them; turn away from them.
6 For this type are those who wheedle into houses and captivate gullible women loaded with sins carried away with various evil desires,
7 ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so these also resist the truth. Men with corrupt minds, rejected as worthless in regards to the faith,
9 but they will get no farther, because their foolishness will be clearly seen to all, just as theirs was.
10 In contrast you have first hand knowledge of my doctrine, the way I live my life, [my] purpose, faith, long suffering, love, patience,
11 persecutions, hardships which happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, [and] Lystra--what persecutions I had to put up with!--but the Lord delivered me out of all [of them].
12 Indeed, all who will live godly for Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13 But evil people and sorcerers will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you continue in the things, which you learned and know for certain, knowing from whom you learned [them],
15 and because from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom you need for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be fine-tuned, completely outfitted for all good works.
1 I seriously urge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and kingdom,
2 preach the word, be instantly ready [whether] the time [is] suitable or not, rebuke, scold, and urge them on with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not put up with sound doctrine but according to their own sinful desires--[and] having tickling ears--will multiply for themselves teachers,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, turning instead to fables.
5 Instead you need to clear-headed in everything, endure troubles, do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of your ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered; the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have competed in a good contest. I have finished my race. I have kept the faith.
8 And besides there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day and not only me but also all those who love his appearing.
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly,
10 for Demas--loving this present world--has forsaken me and is gone to Thessalonica. Crescens [left] for 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 the ministry.
12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 The traveling coat that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring [it] and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; may the Lord reward him according to his works.
15 You beware of him also, for he has greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first defense nobody came to help me, instead all forsook me; may it not be counted against them.
17 Nevertheless the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message through me might be carried out to its fullest and that the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord will rescue me from every wicked work and will keep me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila and Onesiphorus' family.
20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletum sick.
21 Do your very best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ is with your spirit. May grace be with you all. Amen.