To Timothy, my beloved child; Grace mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I give thanks to God whom I worship with a pure conscience as my fathers did, when I remember you unceasingly in my prayers.

Night and day when I recall your tears I am longing to see you, that my happiness may be complete.

For this reason let me remind you to keep ever blazing that gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Do not then be ashamed to bear witness for our Lord, nor for me, his prisoner. Nay, join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

Hold fast the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

You already know that all the Christians in Roman Asia forsook me, among them Phygellus and Hermogenes.

The Lord show mercy to the house hold of Onesiphorus; for many a time he refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.

But when he came to Rome he sought for me until he found me.

Do you then, my son, strengthen you heart in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.

The teachings which you have heard from me, attested by many witnesses, deliver into the keeping of faithful men, who in their turn will be able to teach others also.

A soldier in active service avoids entangling himself in the every-day affairs of life, so that he may please his commander.

But God's message is no prisoner. That is why I endure everything for the sake of the chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

He must be gentle when instructing opponents; for possibly God may give them a change of mind for the recognition of the truth,

and they may come to their senses again, and escape the snare of the devil, as they are restored to life by God to do his will.

But you, Timothy, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aims, my faith, patience, love, endurance,

as well as the persecutions and sufferings which befell me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. You know all the persecutions I endured, and how the Lord delivered me out of them all!

so that the man of God may himself be complete, and completely equipped for every good work.

I for my part am a libation already being poured in sacrifice; and the time of my unmooring is at hand.

Henceforth there is laid up for me the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

Do your best to come to me speedily,

for Demas has deserted me for love of this present world, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens is gone to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia.

Luke only is with me. Pick up Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my ministry.

When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus; also my books, but especially my parchments.

Alexander, the coppersmith, manifested bitter hostility toward me. The Lord will requite him according to his works.

Be also on your guard against him, for he has violently opposed my arguments.

At the time of my first defense no one stood by me; on the contrary they all deserted me??ay it not be laid to their charge!

Nevertheless the Lord Jesus stood by me, and strengthened my heart, that through me full proclamation of the gospel might be made, and the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the lion's jaws.

And the Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and will preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen!

Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left behind me ill at Miletus.