Preach the Word

1I call to witness before God there fore, and the Lord Jesus Christ, being about to judge the living and the dead according to his appearance and his kingdom; 2Proclaim the word; keep fixed seasonably, and unseasonably; refute, censure, beseech, in all longsuffering and teaching. 3For the time will be when they will not hear sound doctrine; but according to their own eager desires they will heap up to themselves teachers, feeling itchings for a report; 4And truly from the truth will they turn away the hearing, and be turned aside to fictions. 5And thou be sober in all things, suffer ill treatment, do the work of the bearer of good news, render thy service perfectly certain.

6For I am already poured out, and the time of my deliverance has been fixed. 7I have contended earnestly the good contest, I have completed the course, I have kept the faith: 8As to the rest, the crown of justice is laid up for me, which the Lord will assign to me in that day, the just judge: and not only to me, but also to all them having loved his appearance.

Personal Concerns

9Be earnest to come to me quickly. 10For Demas has forsaken me, having loved the time now, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11Luke alone is with me. Having taken Mark, bring with thyself: for he is useful for the service. 12And Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. 13The cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus, coming, bring, and the books, chiefly the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith showed me much evil: (may the Lord give back to him according to his works:) 15Whom watch thou also; for he greatly withstood our words.

The Lord Remains Faithful

16In my first defence none was present with me, but all forsook me; (may it not be reckoned to them.) 17But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the promulgation might be rendered perfectly certain, and all the nations might hear: and I was delivered out of the lion's mouth. 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and save for his heavenly kingdom: to whom the glory for the times of times. Amen.

Final Greetings
(Ephesians 6:21–24; Philippians 4:21–23)

19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained in Corinth: and Trophimus I left in Miletum sick. 21Be earnest to come before winter Eubulus greets thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22The Lord Jesus Christ with thy Spirit. Grace with you. Amen.