| New King James Version | New Living Translation |
| 1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: | 1I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: |
| 2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. | 2Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. |
| 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; | 3For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. |
| 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. | 4They will reject the truth and chase after myths. |
| 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. | 5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. |
| 6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. | 6As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. |
| 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. | 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. |
| 8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. | 8And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. Paul’s Final Words |
| 9Be diligent to come to me quickly; | 9Timothy, please come as soon as you can. |
| 10for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. | 10Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. |
| 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. | 11Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. |
| 12And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. | 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. |
| 13Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. | 13When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers. |
| 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. | 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. |
| 15You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. | 15Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said. |
| 16At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. | 16The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. |
| 17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. | 17But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. |
| 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! | 18Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. Paul’s Final Greetings |
| 19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. | 19Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. |
| 20Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. | 20Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. |
| 21Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. | 21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. |
| 22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. | 22May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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