4Verse 1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead in accordance with His appearing and His kingdom:Verse 2preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and teaching.Verse 3For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, they will heap up for themselves teachers, tickling their ears,Verse 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to myths.Verse 5You however be watchful in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.Verse 6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has arrived.Verse 7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Verse 8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me, but also to all those who have loved His appearing.
Paul's Final Words
Verse 9Be diligent to come to me quickly.Verse 10For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and traveled to Thessalonica—Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.Verse 11Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.Verse 12And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.Verse 13Bring the cloak which I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.Verse 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works;Verse 15whom you also should guard against, for he has greatly resisted our words.Verse 16At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be reckoned to them.Verse 17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled, and all the Gentiles might hear, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.Verse 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Final Greetings
Verse 19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.Verse 20Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.Verse 21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.Verse 22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.