[1:1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
[1:2] to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
[1:3] I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
[1:4] longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
[1:5] having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.
[1:6] For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
[1:7] For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
[1:8] Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Gospel according to the power of God,
[1:9] who 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 times eternal,
[1:10] but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
[1:11] For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
[1:12] For this cause I suffer also these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
[1:13] Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
[1:14] That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
[1:15] This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
[1:16] May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
[1:17] but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me
[1:18] (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.
[2:1] You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2:2] The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
[2:3] You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
[2:4] No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
[2:5] Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
[2:6] The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.
[2:7] Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
[2:8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Gospel,
[2:9] in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.
[2:10] Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
[2:11] This saying is faithful: For if we died with him, We will also live with him.
[2:12] If we endure, We will also reign with him. If we deny him, He also will deny us.
[2:13] If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.
[2:14] Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
[2:15] Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
[2:16] But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
[2:17] and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
[2:18] men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.
[2:19] However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord{TR reads “Christ” instead of “the Lord”} depart from unrighteousness.”
[2:20] Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.
[2:21] If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
[2:22] Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
[2:23] But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
[2:24] The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,
[2:25] in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
[2:26] and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
[3:1] But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come.
[3:2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3:3] without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
[3:4] traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
[3:5] holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also.
[3:6] For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
[3:7] always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
[3:8] Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
[3:9] But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
[3:10] But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
[3:11] persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me.
[3:12] Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
[3:13] But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
[3:14] But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.
[3:15] From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
[3:16] Every writing inspired by God{literally, God-breathed} is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,
[3:17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
[4:1] 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:
[4:2] preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
[4:3] For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
[4:4] and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
[4:5] But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
[4:6] For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
[4:7] I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
[4:8] From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
[4:9] Be diligent to come to me soon,
[4:10] for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
[4:11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministering.
[4:12] But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
[4:13] Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.
[4:14] Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works,
[4:15] of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
[4:16] At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
[4:17] But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
[4:18] And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
[4:19] Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
[4:20] Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
[4:21] Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
[4:22] The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.