Who gave us salvation, marking us out for his purpose, not on account of our works, but in the measure of his purpose and his grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

But has now been made clear by the revelation of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who put an end to death and made life unending come to light through the good news,

And for which I undergo these things: but I have no feeling of shame. For I have knowledge of him in whom I have faith, and I am certain that he is able to keep that which I have given into his care till that day.

You have had news that all those in Asia went away from me; among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes:

A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army.

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.

Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.

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

Men whose ideas are all false, who say that the coming back from the dead has even now taken place, overturning the faith of some.

But God's strong base is unchanging, having this sign, The Lord has knowledge of those who are his: and, Let everyone by whom the name of the Lord is named be turned away from evil.

Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,

For these are they who go secretly into houses, making prisoners of foolish women, weighted down with sin, turned from the way by their evil desires,

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.

But see that you keep to the teaching you have been given and the things of which you are certain, conscious of who has been your teacher;

I give you orders, before God and Christ Jesus, who will be the judge of the living and the dead, and by his revelation and his kingdom;

From now on, the crown of righteousness is made ready for me, which the Lord, the upright judge, Will give to me at that day: and not only to me, but to all those who have had love for his revelation.

The Lord will keep me safe from every evil work and will give me salvation in his kingdom in heaven: to whom be glory for ever and ever. So be it.