Greeting
1From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by Theos’s will—a will that contains Christ Jesus’ promise of life.
2To Timothy, my dear child.
Good will, (Or “Grace.”) mercy, and peace from Theos the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
3I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day when I thank Theos, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did. 4I remember your tears and want to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. 5I’m reminded of how sincere your faith is. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m convinced that it also lives in you.
Paul’s Advice for Timothy
6You received a gift from Theos when I placed my hands on you ⌞to ordain you⌟. Now I’m reminding you to fan that gift into flames. 7Theos didn’t give us a cowardly spirit (pneuma) but a spirit (pneuma) of power, love, and good judgment. 8So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord or be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, by Theos’s power, join me in suffering for the sake of the Good News. 9Theos saved us and called us to be holy, not because of what we had done, but because of his own plan and kindness. (Or “grace.”) Before the world began, Theos planned that Christ Jesus would show us Theos’s kindness. 10Now with the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus, he has revealed it. Christ has destroyed death, and through the Good News he has brought eternal life into full view. 11I was appointed to be a messenger of this Good News, an apostle, and a teacher.
12For this reason I suffer as I do. However, I’m not ashamed. I know whom I trust. I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he had entrusted to me until that day.
13With faith and love for Christ Jesus, consider what you heard me say to be the pattern of accurate teachings. 14With the help of the Holy Spirit (pneuma) who lives in us, protect the Good News that has been entrusted to you.
News about Paul’s Coworkers
15You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16May the Lord be merciful to the family of Onesiphorus. He often took care of my needs and wasn’t ashamed that I was a prisoner. 17When he arrived in Rome, he searched hard for me and found me. 18May the Lord grant that Onesiphorus finds mercy when that day comes. You know very well that he did everything possible to help me in Ephesus.
2 Timothy 2
Remain Focused on Jesus
1My child, find your source of strength in the kindness (Or “grace.”) of Christ Jesus. 2You’ve heard my message, and it’s been confirmed by many witnesses. Entrust this message to faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others.
3Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4Whoever serves in the military doesn’t get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer. 5Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules. 6A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. 7Understand what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
8Always think about Jesus Christ. He was brought back to life and is a descendant of David. This is the Good News that I tell others. 9I’m suffering disgrace for spreading this Good News. I have even been put into prison like a criminal. However, Theos’s word is not imprisoned. 10For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive salvation from Christ Jesus with glory that lasts forever. 11This is a statement that can be trusted:
If we have died with him, we will live with him.
12 If we endure, we will rule with him.
If we disown him, he will disown us.
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful
because he cannot be untrue to himself.
14Remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of Theos not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn’t do any good but only destroys those who are listening.
15Do your best to present yourself to Theos as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly. 16Avoid pointless discussions. People who ⌞pay attention to these pointless discussions⌟ will become more ungodly, 17and what they say will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that. 18They have abandoned the truth. They are destroying the faith of others by saying that people who have died have already come back to life.
19In spite of all that, Theos’s ⌞people⌟ have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong.”
20In a large house there are not only objects made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some objects are honored when they are used; others aren’t. 21Those who stop associating with dishonorable people will be honored. They will be set apart for the master’s use, prepared to do good things.
22Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has Theos’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart. 23Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels. 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong. 25He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe Theos will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth. 26Then they might come back to their senses and Theos will free them from the devil’s snare so that they can do his will.
2 Timothy 3
Watch Out for Sinful People
1You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. 2People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, 3and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. 4They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than Theos. 5They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.
6Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded women who are burdened with sins and led by all kinds of desires. 7These women are always studying but are never able to recognize the truth.
8As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men oppose the truth. Their minds are corrupt, and the faith they teach is counterfeit. 9Certainly, they won’t get very far. Like the stupidity of Jannes and Jambres, their stupidity will be plain to everyone.
Teach the Truth
10But you know all about my teachings, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11You also know about the kind of persecutions and sufferings which happened to me in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions, and the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12Those who try to live a godly life because they believe in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13But evil people and phony preachers will go from bad to worse as they mislead people and are themselves misled.
14However, continue in what you have learned and found to be true. You know who your teachers were. 15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. 16Every Scripture passage is inspired by Theos. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has Theos’s approval. 17They equip Theos’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things.
2 Timothy 4
Continue to Do Your Work
1I solemnly call on you in the presence of Theos and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead. I do this because Christ Jesus will come to rule ⌞the world⌟. 2Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.
3A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. 4People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.
5But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.
6My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to Theos. 7I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. 8The prize that shows I have Theos’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again.
Paul’s Final Instructions to Timothy
9Hurry to visit me soon. 10Demas has abandoned me. He fell in love with this present world and went to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens went to the province of Galatia, and Titus went to the province of Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He is useful to me in my work. 12I’m sending Tychicus to the city of Ephesus as my representative.
13When you come, bring the warm coat I left with Carpus in the city of Troas. Also bring the scrolls and especially the parchments. (Parchments are writing materials made from animal skins.)
14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. 15Watch out for him. He violently opposed what we said. 16At my first hearing no one stood up in my defense. Everyone abandoned me. I pray that it won’t be held against them. 17However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that I could finish spreading the Good News for all the nations to hear. I was snatched out of a lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from all harm and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever! Amen.
Final Greetings
19Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus stayed in the city of Corinth and I left Trophimus in the city of Miletus because he was sick. 21Hurry to visit me before winter comes. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters send you greetings.
22The Lord be with you. His good will (Or “grace.”) be with all of you.