The chief work of Christ’ servants, and how people will be
4
📚✭Therefore I give you this charge in the presence of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing✭ and his kingdom✭: 2 📚Preach the Word✭. Be ready in season, out of season✭. Refute errors, rebuke, exhort✭ with complete patience and teaching✭. 3 📚For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine✭, but following their own desires✭ they will heap up teachers for themselves because they will have itching ears. 4 📚And they will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn them to empty stories✭. 5 📚But you be watchful in everything. Endure hardships✭. Do the work of an evangelist✭. Make full proof of your ministry.Paul’s confidence and joy at the close of his life
6 📚For I am now being poured out as a drink offering✭ and the time of my departure✭ is at hand. 7 📚I have fought a good fight✭, I have finished my race✭, I have kept the faith✭. 8 📚Now there is reserved for me a crown✭ of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day✭, and not to me only, but also to all those who love his appearing✭.
Personal remarks
9 📚Make every effort to come to me quickly, 10 📚for Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world✭, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 📚Only Luke✭ is with me. Get Mark✭ and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. 12 📚And I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 📚When you come bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments✭.
14 📚✭Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. The Lord repay him for what he has done. 15 📚You too beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 📚At my first defense✭ no man stood with me, but everyone deserted me✭. May it not be put to their account. 17 📚✭However, the Lord stood by me and strengthened✭ me, so that through me the message might be fully known, and all the Gentiles might hear✭; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion✭.
Paul’s assurance in Christ
18 📚And the Lord will deliver me✭ from every evil work, and will keep me safe for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Closing words
19 📚Greet Prisca and Aquila✭, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 📚Erastus stayed at Corinth, but I have left Trophimus at Miletum sick. 21 📚✭Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens does too, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 📚✭The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.