1I charge thee in the sight of God , and of Christ Jesus , who shall judge the living and the dead , and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word ; be urgent in season , out of season ; reprove , rebuke , exhort , with all longsuffering and teaching . 3For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine ; but , having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts ; 4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables . 5But be thou sober in all things , suffer hardship , do the work of an evangelist , fulfil thy ministry .
Paul's Personal Reflection
6For I am already being offered , and the time of my departure is come . 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course , I have kept the faith : 8henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness , which the Lord , the righteous judge , shall give to me at that day ; and not to me only , but also to all them that have loved his appearing .
Final Instructions and Greetings
9Give diligence to come shortly unto me : 10for Demas forsook me , having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica ; Crescens to Galatia , Titus to Dalmatia . 11Only Luke is with me . Take Mark , and bring him with thee ; for he is useful to me for ministering . 12But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus . 13The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus , bring when thou comest , and the books, especially the parchments . 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil : the Lord will render to him according to his works : 15of whom do thou also beware ; for he greatly withstood our words . 16At my first defence no one took my part , but all forsook me : may it not be laid to their account . 17But the Lord stood by me , and strengthened me ; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion . 18The Lord will deliver me from every evil work , and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever . Amen. 19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus . 20Erastus remained at Corinth : but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick. 21Give diligence to come before winter . Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens , and Linus , and Claudia , and all the brethren . 22The Lord be with thy spirit . Grace be with you .