[1] I give you orders, before God and Christ Jesus, who will be the judge
of the living and the dead, and by his revelation and his kingdom; [2] Be
preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp
words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching; [3] For the time will
come when they will not take the true teaching; but, moved by their
desires, they will get for themselves a great number of teachers for the
pleasure of hearing them; [4] And shutting their ears to what is true, will
be turned away to belief in foolish stories. [5] But be self-controlled in
all things, do without comfort, go on preaching the good news, completing
the work which has been given you to do. [6] For I am even now being
offered, and my end is near. [7] I have made a good fight, I have come to
the end of my journey, I have kept the faith: [8] From now on, the crown of
righteousness is made ready for me, which the Lord, the upright judge, Will
give to me at that day: and not only to me, but to all those who have had
love for his revelation. [9] Do your best to come to me before long: [10]
For Demas has gone away from me, for love of this present life, and has
gone to Thessalonica: Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. [11]
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and take him with you; for he is of use to
me in the work. [12] Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. [13] The coat which I did
not take from Troas and which is with Carpus, get when you come, and the
books, specially the papers. [14] Alexander the copper-worker did me much
wrong: the Lord will give him the reward of his works: [15] But be on the
watch for him, for he was violent in his attacks on our teaching. [16] At
my first meeting with my judges, no one took my part, but all went away
from me. May it not be put to their account. [17] But the Lord was by my
side and gave me strength; so that through me the news might be given out
in full measure, and all the Gentiles might give ear: and I was taken out
of the mouth of the lion. [18] The Lord will keep me safe from every evil
work and will give me salvation in his kingdom in heaven: to whom be glory
for ever and ever. So be it. [19] Give my love to Prisca and Aquila and
those of the house of Onesiphorus. [20] Erastus was stopping at Corinth;
but Trophimus, when I last saw him was at Miletus, ill. [21] Do your best
to come before the winter. Eubulus sends you his love, and Pudens and Linus
and Claudia, and all the brothers. [22] The Lord be with your spirit. Grace
be with you.
