1 So, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and in his kingdom, I solemnly charge you:
2 Herald the word; be on hand when it is convenient and when it is not; convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For there will be a season when they will not bear with healthy teaching, but, with ears itching, they will pile up teachers for themselves in line with their own cravings,
4 and they will close their ears to the truth and wander off into myths.
5 As for you, be watchful and sober in everything, suffer hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry completely.
6 For I am even now being poured out as a drink offering, and the moment of my departure is here.
7 I have fought the good contest, I have completed the course, I have kept the faith.
8 For the rest, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give me in that day—and not to me alone, but to all who have loved his appearing.
9 Hurry to come to me soon.
10 Demas has left me behind, for he loved the present age, and he has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11 No one but Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is of good use to me in serving.
12 Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.
13 The cloak I left behind at Troas with Carpus—bring it when you come, along with the books, and especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. May the Lord repay him according to his deeds.
15 Guard yourself against him as well, for he stood hard against our words.
16 When I first made my defense, nobody stood beside me; all of them left me. May it not be reckoned to them.
17 The Lord, though, stood by me and strengthened me, so that by me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.
18 And the Lord will deliver me from every wicked work and will save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and to the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left behind at Miletus, sick.
21 Hurry to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.