1Therefore, I command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead when he appears and establishes his Kingdom:
2Preach the message. Be ready to do it whether or not the time seems right. Correct, warn, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.
3For a time is coming when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, to satisfy their own desires, they will gather around themselves a great number of teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear.
4They will turn away from listening to the truth and will instead pay attention to myths.
5But you should be clear-minded in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and complete your ministry.
6My life is already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart has arrived.
7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have remained faithful.
8From now on, the crown of righteousness is waiting for me. The Lord, the fair judge, will give it to me on that day. And not only to me, but also to everyone who has longed for his appearing.
9Try your best to come to me soon,
10because Demas abandoned me, since he loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, because he is very helpful to me in my work.
12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will pay him back for what he did.
15You should also be careful of him, because he strongly opposed what we said.
16At my first defense in court, no one came to support me; everyone abandoned me. I pray that they will not be held accountable for this.
17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message could be fully preached and all the Gentiles could hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will safely bring me to his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus stayed in Corinth, but I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was sick.
21Try hard to come before winter. Eubulus sends his greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.
22May the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. May grace be with you. Amen.