| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: | 1In the presence of God and the Messiah Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you |
| 2Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. | 2to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach. |
| 3For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. | 3For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine, but with itching ears will surround themselves with teachers who cater to their people's own desires. |
| 4And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. | 4They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths. |
| 5You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry. | 5But you must be clear-headed about everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist. Devote yourself completely to your ministry. |
| 6For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. | 6I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for my departure has come. |
| 7I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! | 7I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. |
| 8Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day--and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing. | 8The victor's crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the day that he comes, and not only to me but also to all who eagerly wait for his appearing. |
| 9Make every effort to come to me soon. | 9Do your best to come to me soon, |
| 10For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. | 10because Demas, having fallen in love with this present world, has abandoned me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. |
| 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry. | 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. |
| 12Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. | 12I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. |
| 13When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. | 13When you come, bring the coat I left with Carpus in Troas, as well as the scrolls and especially the parchments. |
| 14Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds. | 14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. |
| 15You be on guard against him too, because he vehemently opposed our words. | 15You, too, must watch out for him, for he violently opposed our message. |
| 16At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me--may they not be held accountable for it. | 16At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! |
| 17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion's mouth! | 17However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles could hear it. I was rescued out of a lion's mouth. |
| 18The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen. | 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever and ever! Amen. |
| 19Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. | 19Greet Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. |
| 20Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. | 20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was sick. |
| 21Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. | 21Do your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. |
| 22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. | 22May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you! Amen. |
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