1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you 2to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. 3The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. 4They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. 5But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.

6As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. 7I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith.4.7 kept the faith; or been true to my promise. 8And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day — and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear.

Personal Words

9Do your best to come to me soon. 104.10: Col 4.14; Phlm 24; 2 Cor 8.23; Gal 2.3; Tit 1.4Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me, going off to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 114.11: Col 4.14; Phlm 24; Acts 12.12, 25; 13.13; 15.37–39; Col 4.10Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me in the work. 124.12: Acts 20.4; Eph 6.21–22; Col 4.7–8I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 134.13: Acts 20.6When you come, bring my coat that I left in Troas with Carpus; bring the books too, and especially the ones made of parchment.

144.14: 1 Tim 1.20; Ps 62.12; Rom 2.6Alexander the metalworker did me much harm; the Lord will reward him according to what he has done. 15Be on your guard against him yourself, because he was violently opposed to our message.

16No one stood by me the first time I defended myself; all deserted me. May God not count it against them! 17But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength, so that I was able to proclaim the full message for all the Gentiles to hear; and I was rescued from being sentenced to death. 18And the Lord will rescue me from all evil and take me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever! Amen.

Final Greetings

194.19: Acts 18.2; 2 Tim 1.16–17I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and to the family of Onesiphorus. 204.20: Acts 19.22; Rom 16.23; Acts 20.4; 21.29Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus, because he was ill. 21Do your best to come before winter.

Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia send their greetings, and so do all the other Christians.

22The Lord be with your spirit.

God's grace be with you all.