4:1  I CHARGE [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom:

4:2  Herald {and} preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking {and} correcting, warning {and} urging {and} encouraging them, being unflagging {and} inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

4:3  For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound {and} wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking {and} to foster the errors they hold,

4:4  And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths {and} man-made fictions.

4:5  As for you, be calm {and} cool {and} steady, accept {and} suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.

4:6  For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit's] release [from the body] is at hand {and} I will soon go free.

4:7  I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

4:8  [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor's] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me {and} recompense me on that [great] day--and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved {and} yearned for {and} welcomed His appearing (His return).

4:9  Make every effort to come to me soon.

4:10  For Demas has deserted me for love of this present world and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens [has gone] to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

4:11  Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry.

4:12  Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

4:13  [When] you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, also the books, especially the parchments.

4:14  Alexander the coppersmith did me great wrongs. The Lord will pay him back for his actions.

4:15  Beware of him yourself, for he opposed {and} resisted our message very strongly {and} exceedingly.

4:16  At my first trial no one acted in my defense [as my advocate] {or} took my part {or} [even] stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them!

4:17  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the [Gospel] message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the jaws of the lion.

4:18  [And indeed] the Lord will certainly deliver {and} draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve {and} bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

4:19  Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and to the household of Onesiphorus.

4:20  Erastus stayed on at Corinth, but Trophimus I left ill at Miletus.

4:21  Do hasten {and} try your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus wishes to be remembered to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

4:22  The Lord {Jesus Christ} be with your spirit. Grace (God's favor and blessing) be with you. {Amen (so be it).}