Read the Bible

Preach the Word

^1 (C1)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to ^(C2)judge the living and the dead, and by His ^(C3)appearing and His kingdom:² preach ^(C1)the word; be ready ^(F1)in season and out of season; ^(C2)correct, rebuke, and ^(F2)exhort, with ^(F3)great ^(C3)patience and instruction.³ For ^(C1)the time will come when they will not tolerate ^(C2)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,⁴ and they ^(C1)will turn their ears away from the truth and ^(C2)will turn aside to myths.⁵ But as for you, ^(C1)use self-restraint in all things, ^(C2)endure hardship, do the work of an ^(C3)evangelist, fulfill your ^(C4)ministry.

⁶ For I am already being ^(C1)poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^(C2)my departure has come.^7 (C1)I have fought the good fight, I have finished ^(C2)the course, I have kept ^(C3)the faith;⁸ in the future there ^(C1)is reserved for me ^(C2)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on ^(C3)that day; and not only to me, but also to ^(C4)all who have loved His ^(C5)appearing.

Personal Concerns

^9 (C1)Make every effort to come to me soon;¹⁰ for ^(C1)Demas, having loved ^(C2)this present ^(F1)world, has deserted me and gone to ^(C3)Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to ^(F2)(C4)Galatia, ^(C5)Titus to Dalmatia.^11 (C1)Only ^(C2)Luke is with me. Take along ^(C3)Mark and bring him with you, ^(C4)for he is useful to me for service.¹² But I have sent ^(C1)Tychicus to ^(C2)Ephesus.¹³ When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at ^(C1)Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.^14 (C1)Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; ^(C2)the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.¹⁵ Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our ^(F1)teaching.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; ^(C1)may it not be counted against them.¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and ^(C1)strengthened me, so that through me ^(C2)the proclamation might ^(F1)be ^(C3)fully accomplished, and that all ^(C4)the Gentiles might hear; and I was ^(C5)rescued out of ^(C6)the lion's mouth.¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will ^(F1)(C1)bring me safely to His ^(C2)heavenly kingdom; ^(C3)to ^(F2)Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and ^(C1)Aquila, and ^(C2)the household of Onesiphorus.^20 (C1)Erastus remained at ^(C2)Corinth, but I left ^(C3)Trophimus sick at ^(C4)Miletus.^21 (C1)Make every effort to come before ^(C2)winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

^22 (C1)The Lord be with your spirit. ^(C2)Grace be with you.