I render thanks to God, the God of my fathers whom I worship with a pure conscience, as I mention you constantly in my prayers.

When I recall the tears you shed when we parted, I long by night and day to see you again. That would fill me with joy,

Hence I would remind you to rekindle the divine gift which you received when my hands were laid upon you;

So do not be ashamed to testify to our Lord, and do not be ashamed of a prisoner of the Lord like me; join me in bearing suffering for the gospel by the power of the God

Model yourself on the sound instruction you have had from me in the faith and love of Christ Jesus.

You are aware that all the Asiatics have discarded me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

May the Lord show favour to the household of Onesiphorus, for many a time he braced me up; he was not ashamed of my imprisonment ??17 no, he made eager search for me when he reached Rome, and he found me

(may he find favour with the Lord on the great Day! The Lord grant it!). And you know very well what a help he was to me in Ephesus.

Now, my son, be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus,

and transmit the instructions I gave you in presence of many witnesses to trustworthy men, that they may be competent to teach others.

Never forget "Jesus Christ risen from the dead, descended from David" ??that is my gospel,

he must be gentle in his admonitions to the opposition ??God may perhaps let them change their mind and admit the Truth;

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

Now you have followed my teaching, my practice, my aims, my faith, my patience, my love, my stedfastness,

my persecutions, my sufferings ??all that befell me at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, all the persecutions I had to undergo, from which the Lord rescued me.

The last drops of my own sacrifice are falling; my time to go has come.

I have fought in the good fight; I have run my course; I have kept the faith.

Now the crown of a good life awaits me, with which the Lord, that just Judge, will reward me on the great Day ??and not only me but all who have loved and longed for his appearance.

Do your best to come soon to me,

for Demas, in his love for this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens is off to Gaul, Titus to Dalmatia,

Luke is the only one who is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him along with you, for he is of great use in helping me.

When you come, bring the mantle I left at Troas with Carpus, also my books, and particularly my paper.

Alexander the blacksmith has done me a lot of harm: the Lord will pay him back for what he has done (beware of him),

The first time I had to defend myself, I had no supporters; everyone deserted me. God grant it may not be brought up against them!

But the Lord supported me and gave me strength to make a full statement of the gospel and let all the heathen hear it. I was rescued from the jaws of the lion.

The Lord will rescue me from every assault of evil, he will bring me safe to his own realm in heaven. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.