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.

As I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

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

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.

Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.

Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

You know that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment.

But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me.

May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.

So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel,

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.

You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance,

as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all.

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

For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.

Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day -- and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.

Make every effort to come to me soon.

For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.

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

Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.

At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me -- may they not be held accountable for it.

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion's mouth!

The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.