4:1 | I 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: |
4:2 | Preach the message,* be ready* whether it is convenient or not,* reprove, rebuke, exhort* with complete patience and instruction. |
4:3 | For 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.* |
4:4 | And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.* |
4:5 | You, however, be self-controlled* in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. |
4:6 | For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart* is at hand. |
4:7 | I have competed well;* I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! |
4:8 | Finally 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. |
4:9 | Make every effort to come to me soon. |
4:10 | For Demas deserted me, since he loved* the present age, and he went to Thessalonica.* Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. |
4:11 | Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help* to me in ministry.* |
4:12 | Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.* |
4:13 | When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. |
4:14 | Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm.* The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.* |
4:15 | You be on guard against him* too, because he vehemently opposed our words. |
4:16 | At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. |
4:17 | But 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! |
4:18 | The 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. |
4:19 | Greetings to* Prisca and Aquila* and the family of Onesiphorus. |
4:20 | Erastus stayed in Corinth.* Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. |
4:21 | Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.* |
4:22 | The Lord* be with your spirit. Grace be with you.* |