1So I charge you, in the sight of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead when he appears and brings his kingdom:
2Preach the word. Be ready at all times, whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke and encourage, with great patience and careful teaching.
3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound teaching. Instead, they will follow their own desires and gather teachers around them to scratch their itching ears.
4They will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn instead to made-up stories.
5But you must keep watch in everything. Endure hardship. Do the work of one who brings the good news. Carry out your ministry to the full.
6For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to leave is near.
7I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
8From now on a crown of righteousness is kept safe for me. The Lord, the righteous judge, will give it to me on that day. And not to me only, but to all those who love his appearing.
9Do your best to come to me soon.
10For Demas has left me, because he loved this present world, and he has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is a help to me in the ministry.
12I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring the coat I left at Troas with Carpus, and bring the books, and above all the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he has done.
15Be on your guard against him too, for he has strongly opposed our words.
16At my first defence no one stood by me. Everyone left me. I pray that it may not be held against them.
17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength. In this way the message was fully made known through me, so that all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the mouth of the lion.
18The Lord will rescue me from every evil work, and will keep me safe for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus at Miletum, sick.
21Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. «The second letter to Timothy, who was appointed the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero a second time.»