1 I charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,
2 preach the message; be at it in season and out of season; convince, reprove, exhort people, with perfect patience and willingness to teach.
3 For a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome instruction, but will overwhelm themselves with teachers to suit their whims and tickle their fancies,
4 and they will turn from listening to the truth and wander off after fictions.
5 But you must always be composed; do not shrink from hardship; do your work as a missionary, and your whole duty as a minister.
6 My life is already being poured out, and the time has come for my departure.
7 I have had a part in the great contest, I have run my race, I have preserved my faith.
8 Now the crown of uprightness awaits me, which the Lord, the upright judge, will award me on that Day, and not only me but also all who have loved and hoped for his appearing.
9 Do your best to come to me soon,
10 for Demas has deserted me for love of the present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
11 No one but Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is of great assistance to me,
12 and I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander, the metal-worker, did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he did.
15 You too must be on your guard against him, for he vehemently opposed my teaching.
16 At my first appearance in court no one came to help me; everybody deserted me. May no one lay it up against them!
17 But the Lord stood by me, and gave me strength, so that I might make a full presentation of the message and let all the heathen hear it. So I was saved from the jaws of the lion.
18 The Lord will rescue me from any harm and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.