I thank God, whom I serve from mine elders with pure conscience, that without ceasing I make mention of thee in my prayers night and day,

when I call to mind your affliction, it makes me ardently desire the exceeding pleasure I shall have in seeing you:

For God did not give us a spirit [i.e., a disposition] that makes us cowards but one that gives us power and love and self-control.

Guard [with greatest care] and keep unchanged, the treasure [that precious truth] which has been entrusted to you [that is, the good news about salvation through personal faith in Christ Jesus], through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path.

But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will make further advance to ungodliness,

If a man makes himself clean from these, he will be a vessel for honour, made holy, ready for the master's use, ready for every good work.

For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

and they may yet return to their senses and escape from the toils of the devil, who has caught them to make them do his will.

and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance of its power. Turn away from people of this sort.

Among them are included the men who make their way into private houses and carry off weak women as their prisoners--women who, weighed down by the burden of their sins, are led by ever-changing caprice,

But they will not make further progress, for their lack of understanding will be clear to all, as theirs was also.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

to make the man of God proficient and equip him for good work of every kind.

Be preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching;

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Make every effort to come to me soon;

But the Lord supported me and gave me strength to make a full statement of the gospel and let all the heathen hear it. I was rescued from the jaws of the lion.

Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers greet you.