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 thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day

So you must not be ashamed to testify to our Lord, nor be ashamed of me who am in prison for his sake, but join with me in suffering for the good news, through the power of God.

who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.

That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Join the ranks of those who bear suffering, like a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus.

No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

Moreover, no one who is an athlete wins a prize unless he competes according to the rules.

The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.

Keep in mind Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, who came back from the dead, as my good news gives witness:

In which I put up with the hardest conditions, even prison chains, like one who has done a crime; but the word of God is not in chains.

For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive the salvation that is in the Messiah Jesus, along with eternal glory.

Enduring, we with him will reign. Who him denies, he will disclaim.

Our faith may fail, his never wanes That's who he is, he cannot change!

Remind them of these things, charging them in the presence of God, that they do not argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

Do your best to present yourself approved by God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

But take no part in wrong and foolish talk, for those who do so will go farther into evil,

and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness."

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

And the Lord's servant must not be a man of strife; he must be kind to everybody, a skilled teacher, a man who will not resent injuries;

in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, not lovers of those who are good,

For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

who are always trying to learn but never able to come to a full knowledge of the truth.

And as James and Jambres went against Moses, so do these go against what is true: men of evil minds, who, tested by faith, are seen to be false.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.

I command you therefore before God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his Kingdom:

For a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome teaching, but to gratify their own evil desires will surround themselves with teachers who teach to gratify their own evil desires, because their ears are itching so to be tickled,

From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

Luke is the only one who is now with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is of great service to me,

of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.