1 I solemnly charge you, before God and Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom,
2 preach the message, stay at it in season and out of season; convince, reprove, exhort people with perfect patience as a teacher.
3 For a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome teaching, but to gratify their own evil desires will surround themselves with teachers who teach to gratify their own evil desires, because their ears are itching so to be tickled,
4 and they will cease to listen to the truth and will turn to listen to myths.
5 But you, on your part, must always keep your head cool, suffer hardship, do your work as a herald of the good news, and so fill your ministry to the brim.
6 My life, indeed, is already ebbing out, and the time has come for me to sail away.
7 I have fought the fight for the good, I have run my race, I have kept faith.
8 Now the crown for doing right awaits me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day, and not only me but also all who have loved His appearing.
9 Do your best to come to me soon,
10 for Demas has forsaken me because he loved the present world, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia;
11 Luke is the only one who is now with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is of great service to me,
12 and I have sent Tychicus off to Ephesus.
13 When you come, bring the coat which I left with Carpus at Troas; bring the books, too, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander, a worker in metal, did me ever so much harm. The Lord will repay him for what he did.
15 You too must be on your guard against him, for he has vigorously opposed my teaching.
16 When I first defended myself at court, nobody came to help me, but everybody deserted me. May it never be charged to their account.
17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that the message preached by me might have its full effect and all the heathen might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's jaws.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every wicked work and save me to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.