2 Timothy 4

1 I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [a] 2 proclaim the word; be ready in season, out of season; expose, rebuke, urge — with all patience and teaching. [b] 3 For there will be a season when they will not put up with the healthy teaching, but according to their own desires they will heap up teachers for themselves, having their hearing tickled, [c] 4 and they will turn their hearing away from the truth and be turned aside to the myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of one who brings the good news, fill up your service. [d]

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the season of my casting off has come. [e] 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [f] † 8 For the rest, the crown of righteousness is laid away for me, which the Lord will give back to me on that day — the righteous judge; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. [g]

9 Be diligent to come to me quickly. 10 For Demas left me behind, having loved the present age, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. [h] 11 Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. [i] 12 And Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloak I left behind in Troas with Carpus, bring when you come — and the scrolls, most of all the parchments. [j]

14 Alexander the coppersmith showed me much evil — the Lord will give back to him according to his works — [k] 15 and you also guard against him, for he stood strongly against our words. 16 At my first defense no one came to my side, but they all left me behind — may it not be counted against them — [l] 17 but the Lord stood beside me and empowered me, so that through me the proclamation might be filled up and all the nations might hear; and I was rescued out of the mouth of the lion. [m] 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will save me into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory into the ages of the ages. Amen. [n]

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. [o] 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth; and Trophimus I left behind sick in Miletus. [p] 21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. [q] 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Favor be with you. [r]