From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day.

Because of this I remind you to rekindle God's gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands.

For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God's power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.

Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned!

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.

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

However, God's solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil."

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth

unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,

treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry.