1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke,
and exhort, with all patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when
they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will
heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn
away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. 5 But you be
sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and
fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept
the faith. 8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that
day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
9 Be diligent to come to me soon, 10 for Demas left me, having loved
this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus
to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you,
for he is useful to me for ministering. 12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the
books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander, the coppersmith, did much
evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works, 15 of whom you
also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
16 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it
not be held against them. 17 But 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.
18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me
for his heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus
remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 21 Be diligent
to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and
all the brothers. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be
with you. Amen.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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