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

I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.

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

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.

Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

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

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.

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.

They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith.

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

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.

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.

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!