1Before God, and before Christ Jesus who is to judge men living and dead, I charge you solemnly by his coming appearance and his reign, 2proclaim the message, press it home on all occasions, convenient or inconvenient, use argument, reproof, and appeal, with all the patience that the work of teaching requires. 3For the time will come when they will not stand wholesome teaching, but will follow their own fancy and gather a crowd of teachers to tickle their ears. 4They will stop their ears to the truth and turn to mythology. 5But you yourself must keep calm and sane at all times; face hardship, work to spread the Gospel, and do all the duties of your calling.
6AS FOR ME, already my life is being poured out on the altar, and the hour for my departure is upon me. 7I have run the great race, I have finished the course, I have kept faith. 8And now the prize awaits me, the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the all-just Judge, will award me on that great Day; and it is not for me alone, but for all who have set their hearts on his coming appearance.
9Do your best to join me soon; 10for Demas has deserted me because his heart was set on this world; he has gone to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia; 11I have no one with me but Luke. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for I find him a useful assistant. 12Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, above all my notebooks.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. Retribution will fall upon him from the Lord. 15You had better be on your guard against him too, for he violently opposed everything I said. 16At the first hearing of my case no one came into court to support me; they all left me in the lurch; I pray that it may not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood by me and lent me strength, so that I might be his instrument in making the full proclamation of the Gospel for the whole pagan world to hear; and thus I was rescued out of the lion's jaws. 18And the Lord will rescue me from every attempt to do me harm, and keep me safe until his heavenly reign begins. Glory to him for ever and ever! Amen.
19Greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus stayed behind at Corinth, and I left Trophimus ill at Miletus. 21Do try to get here before winter.
Greetings from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia, and from all the brotherhood here.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all!
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