From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by God's will in keeping with the promise of life that is in the Messiah Jesus.

To: Timothy, my dear child. May grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Messiah Jesus our Lord be yours!

recalling your tears and longing to see you so that I can be filled with joy.

Therefore, never be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God's power, join me in suffering for the sake of the gospel.

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

As for you, my child, be strong by the grace that is in the Messiah Jesus.

What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision.

They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others.

A servant of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable, willing to suffer wrong,

so that they might escape from the Devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will.

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

For some of these men go into homes and deceive foolish women who are burdened with sins and swayed by all kinds of desires.

But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those two men, their stupidity will be plain to everyone.

Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in union with the Messiah Jesus will be persecuted.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and found to be true, because you know from whom you learned it.

so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action.

to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach.

But you must be clear-headed about everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist. Devote yourself completely to your ministry.

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did.

At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them!

However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles could hear it. I was rescued out of a lion's mouth.

May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you! Amen.