4:1 I solemnly charge {you} in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: |
4:2 preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. |
4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, |
4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. |
4:5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. |
4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. |
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; |
4:8 in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing. |
4:9 Make every effort to come to me soon; |
4:10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens {has gone} to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. |
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. |
4:12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. |
4:13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. |
4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. |
4:15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. |
4:16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. |
4:17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. |
4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him {be} the glory forever and ever. Amen. |
4:19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. |
4:20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. |
4:21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. |
4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. |