| NET Bible | New International 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 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: |
| 2Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. | 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. |
| 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 put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. |
| 4And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. | 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. |
| 5You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry. | 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. |
| 6For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. | 6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. |
| 7I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! | 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished 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. | 8Now 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. |
| 9Make every effort to come to me soon. | 9Do your best to come to me quickly, |
| 10For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. | 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted 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, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. |
| 12Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. | 12I 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 cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, 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 repay him for what he has done. |
| 15You be on guard against him too, because he vehemently opposed our words. | 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly 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 defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted 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! | 17But 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. |
| 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 bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. |
| 19Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. | 19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. |
| 20Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. | 20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. |
| 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 get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters. |
| 22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. | 22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all. |
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