I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-discipline.

So do not be ashamed to testify of our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and the grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

For this reason I also suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;

Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

for which I am suffering even to the point of wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble.

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged,

But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires,

In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.