1 ¶ I charge you therefore before 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, and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and careful instruction.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own lusts, will surround themselves with teachers who tell them what their ears itch to hear;

4 And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and will be turned to fables.

5 But you need to keep your head in every situation, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 As to what follows, a crown of righteousness is reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day: and not to me alone, but to everyone who loves his appearing.

9 ¶ Try your best to get here soon:

10 For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark, and bring him with you: because he is a big help to me in the ministry.

12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 When you come, bring the coat that I left with Carpus in Troas, as well as the books, and especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm: the Lord will repay him for what he did:

15 You should be wary of him also; for he strongly opposed our message.

16 ¶ At my first hearing no one stood with me, instead everyone deserted me: I pray that it may not be held against them.

17 Nevertheless the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; so that through me the message might be fully known, and all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil plot, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth: but I left Trophimus in Miletus sick.

21 Try hard to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as does Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 May The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. And grace be with you. Amen.