to Timothy, my beloved son: grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.

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

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

So do not be ashamed to testify of our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

Follow the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;

but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me

may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Dayand you know very well all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David according to my gospel,

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

You, however, know all about my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, yet the Lord rescued me from them all.

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

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Do your best to come to me soon;

for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my ministry.

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him for his deeds.

At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.