2 Timothy 4

1So, before God and Christ Jesus — who will judge the living and the dead, and who will appear and rule as king — I give you this charge:

2Preach the word. Be ready whether the time seems right or not. Correct people, warn them, and encourage them, with great patience and careful teaching.

3For the time will come when people will not listen to sound teaching. Instead, they will gather around them teachers who say what their itching ears want to hear.

4They will stop listening to the truth and turn to made-up stories.

5But you, keep a clear head in everything. Be willing to suffer. Do the work of telling the good news. Carry out all the duties of your service.

6As for me, my life is already being poured out like an offering, and the time for me to leave is near.

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

8Now a crown is waiting for me — the crown given to those who are right with God. The Lord, the fair judge, will give it to me on that day; and not only to me, but to all who have longed for Him to appear.

9Do your best to come to me soon.

10For Demas has left me, because he loved this present world, and he has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my work.

12I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13When you come, bring the coat I left with Carpus in Troas, and my books, especially the parchments.

14Alexander the metalworker did me a lot of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did.

15You too should watch out for him, because he strongly fought against our message.

16The first time I defended myself, no one stood with me; everyone left me. I pray that God will not hold it against them.

17But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, so that through me the message could be fully preached and all the nations could hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.

18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

19Greet Priscilla and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus.

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

21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

22May the Lord be with your spirit. May grace be with you all. Amen.