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 worship, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as I ceaselessly remember you in my prayers. Because I remember the tears you shed for me, I am always longing night and day

be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,

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

but has only recently been made known through the appearance of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who through the good news has put a stop to the power of death, and brought life and immortality to light.

This is why I am suffering so, but I am not ashamed of it, for I know whom I have trusted and I am absolutely sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Guard this fine deposit of truth by the aid of the Holy Spirit who has His home in our hearts.

You know that everyone here who belongs to the Roman province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

The things you learned from me before many witnesses you must commit to trustworthy men who will be competent to teach others too.

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

No soldier ever allows himself to be involved in the business affairs of life, so that he may please the officer who enlisted him.

No one who competes in the games is awarded a crown unless he obeys the rules.

The farmer who labors must be the first to partake of the fruits.

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 am ready to submit to anything for the sake of those whom God has chosen, so that they too may gain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings 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!

Keep on reminding men of these things. Solemnly charge them before God to stop petty debating, which does no good at all but brings destruction on those who hear it.

Do your best to present yourself to God an approved workman who has nothing to be ashamed of, who properly presents the message 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 have a feeding field like gangrene, of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

who have missed the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken place, are undermining some people's faith.

But God's foundation stands unshaken, with these inscriptions: "The Lord knows the people who belong to Him" and "Everyone who bears the name of the Lord must abstain from evil."

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.

You must keep on fleeing from the evil impulses of youth, but ever strive for uprightness, faith, love, and peace, in association with those who call upon the Lord with pure hearts.

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 mildness correcting those who oppose. Perhaps God may grant them repentance for recognition 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 some of them practice going into people's houses and capturing weak and silly women who are overwhelmed with the weight of their sins, who are easily led about by all sorts of evil impulses,

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, indeed, everyone who wants to live a godly life as a follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But you, on your part, must continue to abide by what you have learned and been led to rely upon, because you know from whom you learned it

I solemnly charge you, before God and Christ Jesus who is to 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,

Now the crown for doing right awaits me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day, and not only me but also all 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 thou also beware, for he extremely opposed our words.

And the Lord will rescue me from every evil work, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom, to whom is the glory into the ages of the ages. Truly.