II Timothy 4

1. I charge you, therefore, in the sight of God, even the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is ready to judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

2. Preach the Word! Be urgent in season and out of season; convict, rebuke, encourage, with all patience and doctrine.

3. For there shall come a time when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but according to their own lusts they shall accumulate to themselves a great number of teachers, having ears itching to hear what satisfies their cravings;

4. And they shall turn away their own ears from the truth; and they shall be turned aside unto myths.

5. But as for you, be vigilant in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist; fully carry out 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 the course; I have kept the faith.

8. From this time forward, a crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who love His appearing.

9. Be diligent to come to me quickly;

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

11. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is profitable to me for the ministry of the Word.

12. But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13. When you come, bring the chest that I left in Troas with Carpus, and the books—especially the parchments.

14. Alexander the coppersmith did many evil things against me. May the Lord reward him according to his works.

15. You also be on guard against him because he vehemently opposed our words.

16. During my first defense, no one stood with me; instead, everyone deserted me. (I pray that God will not lay it to their charge.)

17. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully made, and all the Gentiles might hear the gospel; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth.

18. And the Lord will deliver me from every wicked deed and will preserve me for His heavenly kingdom; to Whom be the glory into the ages of eternity. Amen.

19. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20. Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left in Miletus because he was sick.

21. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia; and all the brethren salute you.

22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The second epistle to Timothy, who was chosen first overseer of the church of the Ephesians, written from Rome when Paul was brought a second time before Caesar Nero