I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the quick and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom;
preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry.
For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is useful to me for ministering.
But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works:
of whom be thou ware also; for he greatly withstood our words.
At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account.
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
Canonical academic citations for 2 Timothy 4 (ERV) — copy in your preferred format.
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Paul solemnly charges Timothy before God and Christ’s appearing to preach the word, be ready in season and out, correct, rebuke, encourage, for a time will come when people prefer myths to sound doctrine. Timothy must keep sober, endure hardship, do evangelistic work, fulfill his ministry. Paul, already being poured out like a drink offering, has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and awaits the crown of righteousness. He asks Timothy to come quickly, as Demas deserted for love of the world; only Luke is with him, and Mark is useful. Paul recounts being deserted at his first defense, yet the Lord stood by him and will deliver him safely to His heavenly kingdom. Final greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, the household of Onesiphorus, and others; the Lord be with Timothy’s spirit and grace be with all.
Personal and ministerial reflections.
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