1 From Paul, 1 an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise 2 of life in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
3 I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, 3 when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day. 4 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, 5 so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I recall 6 your sincere faith 7 that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure 8 is in you.
6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess 9 through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a Spirit 10 of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord 11 or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by 12 God’s power accept your share of suffering 13 for the gospel. 9 He is the one who saved us 14 and called us with a holy calling, not based on 15 our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 16 10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He 17 has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel! 11 For this gospel 18 I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 19 12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. 20 But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set 21 and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me 22 until that day. 23 13 Hold to the standard 24 of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 25 14 Protect that good thing 26 entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia 27 deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment. 28 17 But when he arrived in Rome, 29 he eagerly searched for me and found me. 18 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! 30 And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus. 31
2 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And entrust what you heard me say 1 in the presence of many others as witnesses 2 to faithful people 3 who will be competent 4 to teach others as well. 3 Take your share of suffering 5 as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please 6 the one who recruited him. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner 7 unless he competes according to the rules. 8 6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think about what I am saying and 9 the Lord will give you understanding of all this. 10
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; 11 such is my gospel, 12 9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment 13 as a criminal, but God’s message 14 is not imprisoned! 15 10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, 16 that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. 17 11 This saying 18 is trustworthy: 19
If we died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. 20
If we deny 21 him, 22 he will also deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. 23
14 Remind people 24 of these things and solemnly charge them 25 before the Lord 26 not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. 27 15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 28 16 But avoid profane chatter, 29 because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, 30 17 and their message will spread its infection 31 like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. 32 18 They have strayed from the truth 33 by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith. 19 However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” 34 and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord 35 must turn away from evil.”
20 Now in a wealthy home 36 there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. 37 21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, 38 he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others 39 who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 40 23 But reject foolish and ignorant 41 controversies, because you know they breed infighting. 42 24 And the Lord’s slave 43 must not engage in heated disputes 44 but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting 45 opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth 46 26 and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive 47 to do his will. 48
