1I SOLEMNLY charge you before God, and our LORD Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead when his kingdom is come;
2Preach the word; and stand by it zealously in season and out of season, rebuke, reprove, through all patience and teaching.
3For the time will come when men will not listen to sound doctrine; but they will add for themselves extra teachers according to their desires, being lured by enticing words;
4And they will turn away their ears from the truth, and they will turn to fables.
5But you must be awake to all things, endure hardships, do the work of a preacher, and fulfil your ministry.
6From henceforth I am ready to die, and the time of my departure is at hand.7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept my faith:8Henceforth there is preserved for me a crown of righteousness, which my LORD, the righteous judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only but also to all those who eagerly await his appearance.
9Make every effort to come to me soon:10For De’mas has forsaken me, having loved this world, and has gone to Thes-salo- ni’ca; Cres’cens to Ga-la’tia; Titus to Dalma’tia.11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you: for he is suitable to me for the ministry.12I have sent Tych’i-cus to Eph'e-sus.13The book-carrier which I left at Tro’as with Car’pus, bring it with you when you come, and the books, especially the parchment scrolls.14Alexander, the blacksmith, has done me much evil: our LORD reward him according to his works:15You beware of him also; for he has greatly opposed our words.
16When I first wrote you, there was no one with me, for all had forsaken me: Do not hold this against them.17Nevertheless, my LORD stood by me and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fulfilled, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.18And my LORD shall deliver me from every evil work, and will give me life in his heavenly Kingdom: To him be glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
19Salute Pris-ca and A’qui-la, and their household, and On-e-siph’o-rus.20E-ras’tus has remained at Corinth: but I left Troph’i-mus sick at the city of Mi-le’tus.21Make every effort to come before winter. Eu-bu’lus greets you, and Pu’dens and Li’nus, and Clau’di-a, and all the brethren.
22Our LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with all of us. Amen.
