CHAPTER 4

1 I adjure thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, at his appearing and his kingdom.

2 Preach the word; apply thyself in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all gentleness and doctrine.

3 For there will be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, shall heap up to themselves according to their sinful desires;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, render thy ministry approved.

6 For I am now offered as a sacrifice, and the time of my dissolution is at hand.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me on that day, and not to me only, but likewise to all who love his coming.

9 Make haste to come to me quickly.

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having embraced this world, and is gone away to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 And I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 When thou shalt come, bring the cloak which I left at Carpus, and the books, and the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith hath done me many evil things; may the Lord reward him according to his works!

15 Of whom beware thou also; for he vehemently opposed our discourses.

16 At my first defense no man assisted me, but all forsook me; may it not be laid to their charge!

17 But the Lord assisted and strengthened me, that through me the proclamation might be confirmed, 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 to his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever! Amen.

19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus remained at Corinth; but I left Trophimus at Miletum sick.

21 Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ (be) with thy spirit. Grace be with thee. Amen

This Second (Epistle) was written from Rome to Timothy, who was the first bishop ordained at Ephesus, when Paul was brought the second time before Caesar Nero.