To Timothy, my dear Child, from Paul who, by the will of God, is an Apostle of Christ Jesus, charged to proclaim the Life that comes from union with Christ Jesus. May God, the Father, and Christ Jesus, our Lord, bless you, and be merciful to you, and give you peace.

I am thankful to God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, when I remember you, as I never fail to do, in my prayers--night and day alike,

as I think of your tears, longing to see you, that my happiness may be completed,

And that is my reason for reminding you to stir into flame that gift of God, which is yours through your ordination at my hands.

Do not, therefore, be ashamed of the testimony which we have to bear to our Lord, nor yet of me who am a prisoner for him; but join with me in suffering for the Good News, as far as God enables you.

That is why I am undergoing these sufferings; yet I feel no shame, for I know in whom I have put my faith, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until 'That Day.'

Keep before you, as an example of sound teaching, all that you learnt from me as you listened with that faith and love which come from union with Christ Jesus.

You know, of course, that all our friends in Roman Asia turned their backs on me, and among them Phygellus and Hermogenes.

May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus; for he often cheered me and was not ashamed of my chains.

On the contrary, when he arrived in Rome, he sought eagerly for me till he found me.

The Lord grant that he may find mercy at the hands of the Lord on 'That Day.' The many services that he rendered at Ephesus you have the best means of knowing.

Do you, then, my Child, find strength in the help which comes from the union with Christ Jesus;

and what you learnt from me, in the presence of many listeners, entrust to reliable men, who will be able in their turn to teach others.

Share hardships with me, as a true soldier of Christ Jesus.

Keep before your mind Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David, as told in the Good News entrusted to me;

and that is why I submit to anything for the sake of God's People, that they also may obtain the Salvation which comes from union with Christ Jesus, and imperishable glory.

He should instruct his opponents in a gentle spirit; for, possibly, God may give them a repentance that will lead to a fuller knowledge of Truth,

and they may yet come to a sober mind, and escape from the snares of the Devil, when captured by the Lord's Servant to do the will of God.

But you, Timothy, were a close observer of my teaching, my conduct, my purposes, my faith, my forbearance, my love, and my patient endurance,

as well as of my persecutions, and of the sufferings which I met with at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. You know what persecutions I underwent; and yet the Lord brought me safe out of all!

so that the Servant of God may be perfect himself, and perfectly equipped for every good action.

As for me, my life blood is already being poured out; the time of my departure is close at hand.

And now the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give me on 'That Day'--and not only to me, but to all who have loved his Appearing.

Do your utmost to come to me soon;

for Demas, in his love for the world, has deserted me. He has gone to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

There is no one but Luke with me. Pick up Mark on your way, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my work.

Alexander, the coppersmith, showed much ill-feeling towards me. 'The Lord will give him what his actions deserve.'

At my first trial no one stood by me. They all deserted me. May it never be counted against them!

But the Lord came to my help and strengthened me, in order that, through me, the proclamation should be made so widely that all the Gentiles should hear it; and I was rescued 'out of the Lion's mouth.'

The Lord will rescue me from all evil, and bring me safe into his Heavenly Kingdom. All glory to him for ever and ever! Amen.

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

May the Lord be with your soul. God bless you all.