longing to see you [as I] remember your tears, so that I may be filled with joy,

{remembering the} sincere faith in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that [is] in you also,

for which reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.

who saved us and called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus {before time began},

for which reason also I suffer these [things]. But [I am] not ashamed, because I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard [what] I have entrusted until that day.

Hold fast to the pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in the faith and love [that are] in Christ Jesus.

You know this, that all those in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day! And how much he served [me] in Ephesus you know very well.

You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace [that is] in Christ Jesus,

No one who serves as a soldier is entangled in the activities of [everyday] life, so that he may please the one who enlisted [him].

Because of this, I endure all [things] for the sake of the chosen, in order that they also may obtain salvation [which is] in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

But avoid foolish and uninformed controversies, [because you] know that they produce quarrels.

But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come,

persecutions, [and] sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, [and] in Lystra, what sort of persecutions I endured, and the Lord delivered me from all [of them].

and that from childhood you have known the holy writings that are able [to make] you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that 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.

[When you] come, bring the cloak that I left behind in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments.

But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued [me] from the lion's mouth.