4:1 In 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:
4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.
4:3 For the time will come when men 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.
4:4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
4:8 Now 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.
4:9 Do your best to come to me quickly,
4:10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
4:12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
4:13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
4:15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
4:16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
4:17 But 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.
4:18 The 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.
4:19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
4:21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
4:1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
4:2 Proclaim the word; be ready in season and out of season; convict, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and teaching.
4:3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate the healthy teaching; but according to their own lusts they will heap up to themselves teachers, having itching ears,
4:4 And they will turn away their ear from the truth and will be turned aside to myths.
4:5 But you, be sober in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelist, fully accomplish your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure is at hand.
4:7 I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith.
4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, with which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not only me but also all those who have loved His appearing.
4:9 Be diligent to come to me quickly;
4:10 For Demas has abandoned me, having loved the present age, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia.
4:11 Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for the ministry.
4:12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
4:13 The cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus, bring when you come, and the scrolls, especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did many evil things to me; the Lord will recompense him according to his works.
4:15 You also guard against him, for he greatly opposed our words.
4:16 At my first defense no one was with me to support me, but all abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.
4:17 But the Lord stood with me and empowered me that through me the proclamation of the gospel might be fully accomplished and all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion s mouth.
4:18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will save me into His heavenly kingdom, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
4:19 Greet Prisca and Aquila and the house of Onesiphorus.
4:20 Erastus remained in Corinth, and Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
4:21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.
4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.