2 Timothy 4  Holman Christian Standard Bible

Fulfill Your Ministry

4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge^(A) the living and the dead,^(B) and because of His appearing and His kingdom:^{(C) 2} Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine,^(D) but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new.^{[a] 4} They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.^{(E) 5} But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,^(F) fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,^(G) and the time for my departure is close. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ There is reserved for me in the future the crown^(H) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,^(I) will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.^(J)

Final Instructions

⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon,^{(K) 10} for Demas^(L) has deserted me,^(M) because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica.^(N) Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(O) Titus^(P) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(Q) is with me. Bring Mark^(R) with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. ¹² I have sent Tychicus^(S) to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas^(T) with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander^(U) the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ Watch out^(V) for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me.^(W) May it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.^(X) To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Benediction

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila,^(Y) and the household of Onesiphorus.^{(Z) 20} Erastus^(AA) has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus^(AB) sick at Miletus.^{(AC) 21} Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

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