2 Timothy 4 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Preach the Word

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: (Ac 10:42; 2Th 2:8; 1Ti 5:21; 1Ti 6:13; 2Ti 2:14; 2Ti 4:8)

Ac 10:422Th 2:81Ti 5:211Ti 6:132Ti 2:142Ti 4:8

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (1Ti 4:13; 1Ti 5:20; Tit 1:13; Tit 2:15)

1Ti 4:131Ti 5:20Tit 1:13Tit 2:15

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^[1] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (1Ti 1:10; 2Ti 3:1) 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (1Ti 1:4; 1Ti 1:6; 1Ti 6:20) 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (Ac 21:8; Eph 4:11; Col 4:17; 2Ti 1:8; 2Ti 2:3; 2Ti 2:9; 1Pe 1:13)

Ac 21:8Eph 4:11Col 4:172Ti 1:82Ti 2:32Ti 2:91Pe 1:13

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. (Php 1:23; Php 2:17; 2Pe 1:14) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (Ac 20:24; 1Ti 6:12) 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (Ps 7:11; Col 1:5; 2Ti 1:12; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:4; Re 22:20)

Ps 7:11Col 1:52Ti 1:12Jas 1:121Pe 1:4Re 22:20

Personal Instructions

9 Do your best to come to me soon. (2Ti 1:4) 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,^[2] Titus to Dalmatia. (Col 4:14; 1Ti 6:17; 2Ti 1:15; Tit 2:12; Tit 3:12; Phm 1:24; 1Jo 2:15)

Col 4:141Ti 6:172Ti 1:15Tit 2:12Tit 3:12Phm 1:241Jo 2:15

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. (Ac 12:12; 2Ti 4:10) 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. (Ac 20:4; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7; Tit 3:12)

Ac 20:4Eph 6:21Col 4:7Tit 3:12

13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. (Ne 6:14; Ne 13:29; Ps 28:4; Ps 62:12; Pr 24:12; 1Ti 1:20; Re 18:6)

Ne 6:14Ne 13:29Ps 28:4Ps 62:12Pr 24:121Ti 1:20Re 18:6

15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! (Ac 7:60) 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. (1Sa 17:37; Ps 22:21; Mt 10:19; Ac 9:15; Ac 23:11; Ac 27:23; 1Ti 1:12; 2Ti 3:11)

1Sa 17:37Ps 22:21Mt 10:19Ac 9:15Ac 23:11Ac 27:231Ti 1:122Ti 3:11

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Ro 11:36)

Final Greetings

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. (Ac 18:2; 2Ti 1:16) 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. (Ac 20:4; Ac 21:29) 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.^[3] (2Ti 4:9) 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.^[4] (Ga 6:18; Col 4:18; Phm 1:25)

New International Version

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Personal remarks

9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defence, no-one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final greetings

19 Greet Priscilla^[1] and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus ill in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.^[2] 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.