2 Timothy 1:12-4:22

New King James Version

¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, ^(A)for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Be Loyal to the Faith

^13 (B)Hold fast ^(C)the pattern of ^(D)sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

¹⁵ This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ The Lord grant mercy to the ^(E)household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; ¹⁷ but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. ¹⁸ The Lord ^(F)grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord ^(G)in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ^(H)ministered ^[a]to me at Ephesus.

Be Strong in Grace

2 You therefore, ^(I)my son, ^(J)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must ^(K)endure^[b] hardship ^(L)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ^4 (M)No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵ And also ^(N)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, and ^[c]may the Lord ^(O)give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, ^(P)of the seed of David, ^(Q)was raised from the dead ^(R)according to my gospel, ^9 (S)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, ^(T)even to the point of chains; ^(U)but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore ^(V)I endure all things for the sake of the ^[d]elect, ^(W)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

¹¹ This is a faithful saying:

Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, ^(AB)charging them before the Lord not to ^[e]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ^15 (AC)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and ^[f]idle babblings, for they will ^[g]increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. ^(AD)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, ^(AE)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless ^(AF)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord ^(AG)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of ^[h]Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only ^(AH)vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, ^[i]sanctified and useful for the Master, ^(AI)prepared for every good work. ^22 (AJ)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And ^(AK)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, ^(AL)able to teach, ^(AM)patient, ^25 (AN)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, ^(AO)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, ^(AP)so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and ^(AQ)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that ^(AR)in the last days ^[j]perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, ^[k]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ^4 (AS)traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ^5 (AT)having a form of godliness but ^(AU)denying its power. And ^(AV)from such people turn away! ⁶ For ^(AW)of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able ^(AX)to come to the knowledge of the truth. ^8 (AY)Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: ^(AZ)men of corrupt minds, ^(BA)disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, ^(BB)as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

^10 (BC)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me ^(BD)at Antioch, ^(BE)at Iconium, ^(BF)at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And ^(BG)out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and ^(BH)all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ^13 (BI)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must ^(BJ)continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known ^(BK)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

^16 (BL)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, ^(BM)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for ^[l]instruction in righteousness, ^17 (BN)that the man of God may be complete, ^(BO)thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

4 I ^(BP)charge you ^[m]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, ^(BQ)who will judge the living and the dead ^[n]at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. ^(BR)Convince, ^(BS)rebuke, ^(BT)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ^3 (BU)For the time will come when they will not endure ^(BV)sound doctrine, ^(BW)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and ^(BX)be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, ^(BY)endure afflictions, do the work of ^(BZ)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

⁶ For ^(CA)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^(CB)my departure is at hand. ^7 (CC)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me ^(CD)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous ^(CE)Judge, will give to me ^(CF)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The Abandoned Apostle

⁹ Be diligent to come to me quickly; ¹⁰ for ^(CG)Demas has forsaken me, ^(CH)having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get ^(CI)Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² And ^(CJ)Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. ¹³ Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

^14 (CK)Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. ^(CL)May it not be charged against them.

The Lord Is Faithful

^17 (CM)But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, ^(CN)so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered ^(CO)out of the mouth of the lion. ^18 (CP)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. ^(CQ)To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Come Before Winter

¹⁹ Greet ^(CR)Prisca and Aquila, and the household of ^(CS)Onesiphorus. ^20 (CT)Erastus stayed in Corinth, but ^(CU)Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

²¹ Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

²² The Lord ^[o]Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.