He exhorts Timothy to be fervent in the word and to suffer adversity, makes mention of his own death, and bids Timothy to come to him.
4 I charge you therefore before God, and before the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the quick and the dead at his appearing in his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be fervent, be it in season or out of season. Refute, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and instruction.
3 For the time will come when the people will not suffer wholesome doctrine, but, after their own fancies, they (whose ears itch) will get themselves a heap of teachers, 4 and will turn their ears from the truth, and will be given to fables. 5 But as for you, watch in all things, and suffer adversity, and do the work of an evangelist. Fulfil your office to the utmost.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departing is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, and have fulfilled my course, and have kept the faith. 8 From henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, who is a righteous judge, shall give me at that day: not to me only, but to all who love his coming.
9 Make speed to come to me at once. 10 For Demas has left me, and loves this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me.
Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is necessary to me, to minister. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring with you – and the books, but especially the parchment.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much ill; the Lord reward him according to his deeds. 15 You must beware of him also, for he withstood our preaching sore.
16 At my first defence, no one assisted me, but all forsook me. I pray God that it may not be laid to their charges. 17 Notwithstanding, the Lord assisted me and strengthened me, so that by me the preaching should be fulfilled to the utmost, and so that all the Gentiles may hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from all evil-doing, and will keep me for his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus stayed at Corinth. Trophimus I left at Miletum, sick.
21 Make speed to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
The end of the second epistle to Timothy.
Written from Rome when Paul was
presented the second time
up before Emperor
Nero.