 1 I charge you, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living+ and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Proclaim+ the Word. Be attentive+ to duty in season and out of season. Prove+, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering~ and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, they look+ for teachers to satisfy+ their hearing. 4 They turn away their ears from the truth and are turned to fables. 5 But you must watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and make full proof of your ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is very near+. 7 I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. And I have kept the faith. 8 Hereafter, there is a crown of righteousness laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day. And not only to me, but also to all who love His appearing. 9 Be diligent to come to me soon+. 10 For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world. He has departed to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Therefore bring Mark with you, for he is useful+ to me for this ministry. 12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will reward him according to his works. 15 You beware+ of him also, for he has greatly opposed+ our words. 16 In my first defense+, no one stood with me, but everyone+ left+ me. I pray that this will not be charged to them. 17 Nevertheless, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me so that, by me, the proclaiming+ might be fully known and all the Gentiles might hear. I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 19 Greet+ Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed+ at Corinth, but I have left Trophimus at Miletum sick. 21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the family+. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
|