1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1:3 I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience, as without ceasing I remember you night and day in my prayers.
1:4 Remembering your tears, I greatly desire to see you, that I may be filled with joy;
1:5 I am reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded is in you also.
1:6 Therefore, I would remind you to stir into flame the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.
1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of self-discipline.
1:8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but share in the afflictions of the gospel, by the power of God;
1:9 Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not by virtue of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
1:10 But has now been made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
1:11 Of this gospel I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher [of the Gentiles],
1:12 And for this reason I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him until that day.
1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
1:14 That good thing which was committed to you, guard by the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us.
1:15 This you know, that all those who are in Asia have turned away from me; among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
1:16 May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains:
1:17 But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
1:18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day. You know very well in how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
2:1 Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2:3 Therefore endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2:4 No soldier on active service entangles himself with the affairs of civilian life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
2:5 And if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2:6 The farmer who labours must be first to partake of the fruits.
2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, according to my gospel,
2:9 For which I suffer hardship, even wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not in chains.
2:10 Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with its eternal glory.
2:11 This is a faithful saying: If we died with him, we shall also live with him:
2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he will deny us:
2:13 If we are faithless, yet he remains faithful: for he cannot deny himself.
2:14 Remind them of these things, solemnly charging them before the Lord not to dispute about words, which is of no profit, but ruins the hearers.
2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2:16 But avoid godless and empty chatter: for it will lead people to more ungodliness,
2:17 And their word will spread like gangrene. Among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2:18 Who have strayed from the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and thus upset the faith of some.
2:19 Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands firm, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are his. And, Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.
2:20 In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay; some for noble purposes, and some for ignoble.
2:21 Therefore, if a man purifies himself from the ignoble, he shall be a vessel for noble purposes, consecrated and useful to the master, prepared for every good work.
2:22 Flee youthful lusts: and follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2:23 Have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant controversies, knowing that they breed strife.
2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome; but kind to all, able to teach, forbearing,
2:25 In gentleness correcting those who oppose him; that God might grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth;
2:26 And that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
3:1 But know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3:3 Without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, despisers of good,
3:4 Treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God;
3:5 Holding to a form of godliness, but denying its power. From such men turn away.
3:6 For among them are those who creep into houses, and lead captive weak-willed women laden with sins, led away by various desires,
3:7 Ever learning, but never able to acknowledge the truth.
3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres defied Moses, so these men also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, rejected as concerns the faith.
3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be made clear to all, as was that of those two.
3:10 But you have fully known my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, such as befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; the persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
3:12 Yes, and all who will live godly lives in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
3:13 But evil men and impostors shall grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
3:14 But you, continue to hold the things which you have learned and have been convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them;
3:15 And how from childhood you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
3:17 That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for all good works.
4:1 I solemnly charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom;
4:2 Preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience and instruction.
4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall gather up teachers for themselves to suit their own desires;
4:4 And they shall turn their ears away from the truth, and shall turn aside to myths.
4:5 But you, be steady in all things; endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
4:8 Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me on that day: and not only to me, but also to all those who have longed for his appearing.
4:9 Make every effort to come to me shortly:
4:10 For Demas, having loved this present world, has forsaken me and has departed to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark, and bring him with you: for he is useful to me for the ministry.
4:12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
4:13 When you come, bring with you the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, and especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm: the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
4:15 You also beware of him; for he has greatly opposed our message.
4:16 At my first defence no man stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be counted against them.
4:17 But the Lord stood with 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.
4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom: to him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
4:19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
4:20 Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
4:21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
4:22 The Lord [Jesus Christ] be with your spirit. Grace be with you. [Amen.]