4I give you a command in the sight of God and Christ Jesus. Christ will judge the living and the dead. Because he and his kingdom are coming, here is the command I give you. ²Preach the word. Be ready to serve God in good times and bad. Correct people’s mistakes. Warn them. Cheer them up with words of hope. Be very patient as you do these things. Teach them carefully.

³The time will come when people won’t put up with true teaching. Instead, they will try to satisfy their own longings. They will gather a large number of teachers around them. The teachers will say what the people want to hear. ⁴The people will turn their ears away from the truth. They will turn to stories that aren’t completely true.

⁵But I want you to keep your head no matter what happens. Don’t give up when times are hard. Work to spread the good news. Do everything God has given you to do.

⁶I am already being poured out like a drink offering. The time has come for me to leave.

⁷I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. ⁸Now there is a crown waiting for me. It is given to those who are right with God. The Lord, who judges fairly, will give it to me on the day he returns. He will not give it only to me. He will also give it to all those who are longing for him to return.

Personal Words

⁹Do your best to come to me quickly.

¹⁰Demas has deserted me. He has gone to Thessalonica. He left me because he loved this world. Crescens has gone to Galatia. Titus has gone to Dalmatia. ¹¹Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He helps me in my work for the Lord. ¹²I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

¹³When you come, bring my coat. I left it with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my scrolls. Most of all, bring the ones made out of animal skins.

¹⁴Remember Alexander, the one who works with metal? He did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he has done. ¹⁵You too should watch out for him. He strongly opposed our message.

¹⁶The first time I was put on trial, no one came to help me. Everyone deserted me. I hope they will be forgiven for it.

¹⁷The Lord stood at my side. He gave me the strength to preach the whole message. Then all those who weren’t Jews heard it. I was saved from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸The Lord will save me from every evil attack. He will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.

Give him glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹⁹Greet Priscilla and Aquila. Greet those who live in the house of Onesiphorus.

²⁰Erastus stayed in Corinth. I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.

²¹Do your best to get here before winter.

Eubulus greets you. So do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.

²²May the Lord be with your spirit. May God’s grace be with you.

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