Fulfill Your Ministry
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge z the living and the dead, a and because of his appearing and his kingdom: b 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, c but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. d 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, e fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, f and the time for my departure is close. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 There is reserved for me the crown g of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, h will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing. N,i
Final Instructions
9 Make every effort to come to me soon, j 10 because Demas k has deserted me, l since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. m Crescens has gone to Galatia, n Titus o to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke p is with me. Bring Mark q with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. 12 I have sent Tychicus r to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas s with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander t the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. 15 Watch out u for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.
16 At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. v May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. w To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Benediction
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, x and the household of Onesiphorus. y 20 Erastus z has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus a sick at Miletus. b 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.