Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy my dearly-loved child. May grace, mercy and peace be granted to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

[It is] God who saved us and called us to live holy lives [or, "to be dedicated people"], not as a result of our [good] deeds, but in harmony with His own purpose and unearned favor. [This was] given to us through [the atoning work of] Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time. [Note: Salvation through Christ was planned before time began. See Titus 1:2; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4].

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

For the sake of this gospel I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles.

By which cause I also suffer these things: but I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and have been persuaded that he is able to watch my deposits to that day.

Provide yourself with an outline of the sound teaching which you have heard from my lips, and be true to the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

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

But, happening to be in Rome, he diligently sought out and found me, -

The Lord grant that he may be shown mercy by the Lord on that Day! And you know well enough how he helped me at Ephesus.

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

be considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.

So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

If we go on to the end, then we will be ruling with him: if we say we have no knowledge of him, then he will say he has no knowledge of us:

If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.

Of these things, be putting them in remembrance, adjuring them before God not to be waging word-battles, - useful, for nothing, occasioning a subversion of them that hearken.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

And their words will be like poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus;

who have deviated from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine the faith of some.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

But this know, that in the last days difficult times shall be there;

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

[and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good,

traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God,

having a form of piety, and its power having denied; and from these be turning away,

For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,

and led captive by ever-changing impulses, are always learning but never able to arrive at knowledge of truth.

Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith.

But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

And all indeed who desire to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Evil and false men will become worse and worse, using deceit and themselves overcome by deceit.

And thou -- be remaining in the things which thou didst learn and wast entrusted with, having known from whom thou didst learn,

And [remember] that, from childhood, you have known the sacred Scriptures which are able to make you wise [enough] to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Henceforth, lieth by for me - the crown, of righteousness, which the Lord will render unto me in that, day, - The righteous judge, - Ye, not alone unto me, but unto all them also who have loved his forthshining.

Be diligent to come unto me quickly,

Luke is the only one [of my fellow-workers still] with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you for he [will be] helpful to me in [my] ministry.

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; [but that is no concern of mine, for] the Lord will repay him according to his actions.

Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

be diligent to come before winter. Salute thee doth Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.