2 Timothy 4

1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

2proclaim the word; be ready whether the time is favorable or not; correct, rebuke, and encourage, with complete patience and teaching.

3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound teaching. Instead, with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires,

4and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

5But as for you, keep a clear head in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

9Do your best to come to me soon.

10For Demas, because he loved this present world, has deserted me and 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 very useful to me in ministry.

12I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and also the books, and above all the parchments.

14Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm. The Lord will repay him according to what he has done.

15You too must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.

16At my first defense no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

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

21Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.