for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue;

endeavour to approve yourself to God, as an artist that is not afraid of reproach, by rightly explaining the word of truth.

Take notice that in the latter days difficult incidents will arise;

and that from your infancy you were acquainted with the sacred writings, which point you the way to salvation, by believing in Christ Jesus:

to Timothy, my dear son, grace, mercy and peace from God the father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord.

for the spirit, which God has given us, is not a spirit of timidity, but of fortitude, of benevolence, and of moderation.

Keep that form of sound doctrine you receiv'd from me, which consists in christian faith and charity:

I conjure you in the name of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, at his appearance in his kingdom,

for the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but get teachers of their own corrupt taste, to sooth their ears that itch for flattery:

to preach the word with assiduity upon all occasions: reprove, censure, exhort, with the most tender persuasions.

and what you heard me deliver in the presence of many, intrust to such persons of integrity as are qualified to instruct others

yet I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have confided, and I am persuaded he is able to keep what I have committed to him against that day.

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

But be you attach'd to the doctrine you have learnt, with which you are intrusted, considering by whom you have been instructed:

who has saved us, and by the gospel hath called us to holiness, not in consideration of our works, but in pursuance of his own resolution, and the favour, which having been promised us by Jesus Christ several ages ago,

Avoid the passions of youth. pursue justice, fidelity, benevolence and concord with all sincere christians.

I have struggled in a glorious cause: I have finish'd my career: I have stood to the faith:

Of this number are they, who insinuate themselves into families, to make a prey of the weaker sex, who are inveigled by their vitious suggestions, abetted by their own subtle passions,

and by lending an assiduous ear to such lessons, render it impossible they should ever be acquainted with the truth.

and those who will live like Christians, shall generally suffer persecution.

As for you, my son, strenuously acquit yourself of the charge you have receiv'd from Christ Jesus.

For which reason I remind you to exert the divine gifts you received, when I gave you the imposition of hands.

a christian must not be litigious, but easy to all men, qualify'd to instruct,

Moses did not meet with greater opposition from Jannes and Jambres, than truth does from men so corrupted in their mind, and so adulterated in their faith.

as for me, my blood will soon be pour'd out, and the time of my departure draws nigh:

however, the foundation of the divine architect is still immoveable, having this inscription, " the Lord discerns who are his." and, " let every one that invokes the name of the Lord, depart from iniquity."

be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,

but they will be stop'd in their career; for they shall be expos'd to the world for impostors, as those magicians were.

be you then entirely upon the watch: be insensible to toil: perform the work of an evangelist, and discharge your ministerial function.

For this I was establish'd the herald, the apostle, and doctor of the Gentiles. this has drawn upon me the evils I suffer.

bravely endure hardships, like a soldier of Jesus Christ.

As for me, you are perfectly acquainted with my doctrine, my conduct, my designs, my temper, my benevolence, my constancy,

the Lord be favourable to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often reliev'd me, and was not asham'd of my chains:

the Lord grant he may obtain mercy from him in that day, for you know very well what services de did me at Ephesus.

my persecutions, and the sufferings that befel me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions did I endure? but the Lord deliver'd me out of them all: yes,

You know that I have been abandon'd by all the Asiatics, by Phygellus and Hermogenes among the rest.

but when he was at Rome, he enquired for me very diligently, and found me.

Endeavour to come to me very soon:

a combatant does not receive the crown, unless he has observ'd the laws of the games.

villainous, unnatural, perfidious, defamers, debauchees,

when you come, bring the cloke and books, but especially the roll, which I left with Carpus at Troas.

the labourer must work before he can obtain his reward.

Salute Prisca, and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus.

consider what I say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

Alexander the copper-smith did me many injuries: the Lord may reward him according to his actions.

At my first defence, I had no assistance, for every body deserted me. I wish it may never be laid to their charge.

discountenance such as hold vain irreligious discourse; for they will grow bold in impiety,

for which I suffer even the chains of a malefactor: but the word of God is not so confin'd.

and the Lord will deliver me from every malicious design, and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. to him be glory to endless ages. amen.

however the Lord assisted and strengthen'd me, that the gospel might be confirm'd by my remonstrance, and all the nations might hear it; so that I was deliver'd out of the mouth of the lion:

beware of him, for he violently opposed our doctrine.

Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, appointed by God to declare the promise, which Jesus Christ has made of eternal life;

I have nothing more to do, but to receive the crown of virtue reserv'd for me, which the Lord, the just judge, will give me in that day: and not only to me, but to those also, who have long'd for his appearance.

especially when I reflect upon the sincerity of your faith, and the attachment your grand-mother Lois first show'd, and then your mother Eunice, examples which I am persuaded you will follow.

Erastus staid at Corinth: but Trophimus I left sick at Miletum.

which, while they are deaf to the truth, attentively listen to fables.

the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. grace be with you. AMEN.

of which they wear the appearance, but disclaim its influence. have no intercourse with such.

he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.

Remember that Jesus Christ, who is of the posterity of David, is raised from the dead, according to my gospel,

as for these impious impostors, they will go on from bad to worse, seducing others, and deluding themselves.

in a palace there are vessels not only of gold, and of silver, but of wood and of earth likewise: some are for honourable uses, and others for meaner purposes.

When I remember you, as I continually do in my prayers night and day, I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, after the example of my fore-fathers.

has now been display'd by the coming of Jesus Christ our saviour, who has defeated the power of death, by bringing a life of immortality to light thro' the gospel.

with great temper and meekness informing those, who differ in opinion; because he does not know, but God may change their minds, by convincing them of the truth.

These things represent, conjuring them by the presence of the Lord, to avoid disputes about words, which only serve to pervert the audience.

endeavour to come before winter. Eubulus, Prudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren salute you.

for men will be selfish, avaricious, vain, proud, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful,

it is an undoubted truth, that if we die for him, we shall live with him:

and their doctrine will spread like the gangrene. Hymeneus and Philetus are such:

if we suffer, we shall also reign: if we renounce him,

and so they may rouze out of the snare of the devil, who leads them captive at his discretion.

that valuable depositum do you preserve by the holy spirit, which resides in us.

they have deserted the faith themselves, and debauch'd the faith of others, by maintaining, "the resurrection is already past."

he will renounce us likewise: tho' we are diffident, he is still faithful, and will not retract his word.

only Luke is with me. take Mark and bring him with you; because he will be useful to me in the ministry.

for Damas, out of love to this world has abandon'd me, and is gone to Thessalonica: Crescens, to Galatia: and Titus, to Dalmatia.

cruel, enemies to virtue, traitors, insolent, conceited, and more devoted to pleasure than to piety:

decline all impertinent barren disputes, since they only serve for contention.

that the minister of God may be perfectly accomplished for every office of religion.

he that enters into the service, disengages himself from civil affairs, that he may be acceptable to his officer.

I therefore bear with every thing for the sake of the converts, that they may obtain that salvation, which Jesus Christ has procur'd us, even eternal glory.