2 Timothy

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, chapter 4, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 4 New English Translation

Charge to Timothy Repeated

   1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. 3 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. 5 You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! 8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The LORD, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day - and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.

Travel Plans and Concluding Greetings

   9 Make every effort to come to me soon. 10 For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry. 12 Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The LORD will repay him in keeping with his deeds. 15 You be on guard against him too, because he vehemently opposed our words. 16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me - may they not be held accountable for it. 17 But the LORD stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion's mouth! 18 The LORD will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.
   19 Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. 22 The LORD be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

King James Version

   1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
   2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
   3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
   4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
   5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
   6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
   7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
   8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
   9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
   10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
   11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
   12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
   13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
   14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
   15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
   16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
   17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
   18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
   19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
   20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
   21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
   22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.