For the Spirit which God has given us is not a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of sound judgement.

Do not be ashamed then to bear witness for our Lord and for me His prisoner; but rather share suffering with me in the service of the Good News, strengthened by the power of God.

For He saved us and called us with a holy call, not in accordance with our desserts, but in accordance with His own purpose and the free grace which He bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before the commencement of the Ages,

but which has now been plainly revealed through the Appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus. He has put an end to death and has brought Life and Immortality to light through the Good News,

That indeed is the reason why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know in whom my trust reposes, and I am confident that He has it in His power to keep what I have entrusted to Him safe until that day.

But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety,

Now in a great house there are not only articles of gold and silver, but also others of wood and of earthenware; and some are for specially honourable, and others for common use.

But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels;

and a bondservant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be inoffensive towards all men, a skilful teacher, and patient under wrongs.

But of this be assured: in the last days grievous times will set in.

destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness,

But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses came to be.

But you have intimately known my teaching, life, aims, faith, patience, love, resignation,

But bad men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.

But you must cling to the things which you have learnt and have been taught to believe, knowing who your teachers were,

For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled, they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies;

But as for you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not live a self-indulgent life, but do the duty of an evangelist and fully discharge the obligations of your office.

From this time onward there is reserved 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 love the thought of His Appearing.

When you come, bring with you the cloak which I left behind at Troas at the house of Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments.

At my first defence I had no one at my side, but all deserted me. May it not be laid to their charge.