Read the Bible

¹ From[fn] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,[xr] ² to Timothy, my dear child. May grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord be yours![xr] ³ I constantly thank my God - whom I serve[fn] with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did - when I remember you in my prayers night and day,[xr] ⁴ recalling your tears and longing to see you so that I can be filled with joy.[xr] ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that this faith[fn] also lives in you.[xr]

⁶ For this reason, I am reminding you to fan into flames the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands.[xr] ⁷ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.[fn][xr] ⁸ Therefore, never be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God's power, join me in suffering for the sake of the gospel.[xr] ⁹ He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our own works but according to his own purpose and the grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.[fn][xr] ¹⁰ Now, however, it has been revealed through the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and through the gospel has brought life and release from death into full view.[xr] ¹¹ For the sake of this gospel[fn] I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.[fn][xr] ¹² That is why I suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I'm convinced that he is able to protect what he has entrusted to me[fn] until that day.[xr] ¹³ Hold on to the pattern of healthy teachings that you have heard from me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.[xr] ¹⁴ With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, protect the good treasure that has been entrusted to you.[xr]

¹⁵ You know that everyone in Asia has abandoned me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.[xr] ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often took care of[fn] me and was not ashamed that I was a prisoner.[xr] ¹⁷ Instead, when he arrived in Rome he searched diligently for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he finds mercy from the Lord on that day. You know very well how much he assisted me in Ephesus.[xr]