The Second Letter from Paul the Apostle to Timothy

1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy my beloved son: grace, mercy and peace from God the father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I give thanks to God, whom I serve from my forefathers in pure conscience, that without pause I am reminded of you in my prayers night and day, 4 desiring to see you, recalling your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 remembering the genuine faith which is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I know certainly, that it is in you as well, 6 which is why I advise you to raise up the gift of God which is in you by the placing-on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sobriety. 8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me his prisoner, but be partaker of the affliction of the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has freed and cured us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which is given to us in Christ Jesus before time eternal.

10 But it has been revealed now by the appearance of our savior Jesus Christ, who has done away with death itself, and brought life and immortality into the light by the gospel, 11 in which I have been placed as a preacher, apostle and teacher to the nations, 12 for which cause also I suffer these things but am not brought to shame. For I know who it is I have believed; and I am certain that he can keep what I have entrusted to him against that day.

13 Hold to the form of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 Keep the good thing entrusted to you by the holy spirit who dwells in us. 15 You know this, that everyone in Asia has turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord give mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and has not been ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he was in Rome, he searched diligently for me, and found me. 18 May the Lord give him, and may he find, mercy with the Lord in that day. And in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know most well.

2

Therefore, you also ought to be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, 2 and in that which you have heard from me by many witnesses, these things commend to the faithful people who shall be fit to teach others as well. 3 Therefore, endure the affliction like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one who wars gets entangled in the business of life, so that he may please the one who assigned him as a soldier. 5 And if anyone shall strive for mastery, he will not be crowned unless he shall strive legitimately. 6 The farmer working in the field must be the first to partake of the fruit. 7 Think over what I say; for the Lord has given you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, rose again from the dead according to my gospel, 9 in which I toil to the point of shackles like an evildoer; but the word of God is not shackled. 10 I suffer all things because of that, because of the ones who are chosen to also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The word is true, that

if we shall have died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we shall suffer,
we will also reign with him;
if we deny him,
he himself will also deny us;
13 if we are unbelieving,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot deny himself. 14 These things admonish them, charging them before the Lord. Do not pick a fight with words, for it is conducive to nothing; but to subverting those who hear.

15 Be studious to show yourself as approved to God, a worker unashamed, dividing rightly the word of truth. 16 But stand aside from profane babblings, for they grow toward the greater ungodliness, 17 and their word spreads like cancer, of which number are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have strayed from the truth, saying the resurrection to have already been past and done, and turn some away from the faith. 19 But stand in the firm foundation of God, having this sign: The Lord knows those who may be his, and all who name the name of Christ should fall away from iniquity.

20 But in a great house are there not only jars of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; and some are in honor, but some to dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone shall purge himself of this he shall be a jar made holy in honor, useful to the Lord, to every good work prepared.

22 And flee from juvenile lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, hope, love, peace, with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart; 23 and reject foolish and unlearned queries, knowing that they are the fathers of fights. 24 But a servant of the Lord must not fight, but be calm toward all, apt to teach, patient, 25 teaching in meekness those who oppose, if perhaps God will give some of them a change of heart toward the knowing of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves from the devil’s trap, having been captured by him at his own will.

3

You also know this, that in the final days shall come perilous times; 2 for there shall be men who love themselves, greedy, boastful, proud, cursing, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, ungodly, 3 lacking affection, breakers of treaties, slanderers, intemperate, fierce, despisers of the good, 4 traitors, stubborn, puffed-up, loving pleasure more than loving God, 5 having the appearance of godliness but denying its power. And turn away from them, 6 for from these are those who break into homes and take captive simple women burdened with sin, led astray with various lusts, 7 forever learning, but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as also Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, they also resist the truth, men with corrupted minds, reprobate concerning the faith; 9 but they will proceed no further, for their foolishness shall be evident to all, as theirs had been.

10 But you have followed my teachings, lifestyle, purpose, faith, patience, love, suffering, 11 persecutions, afflictions which came upon me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions which I sustained; but the Lord delivered me from all of them. 12 But also all those who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution; 13 for evil men and deceivers shall grow ever worse, both in being deceived, and in deceiving. 14 But as for you, remain in those things which you have learned, and which have given you assurance, knowing from whom you learned them, 15 and that from the time you were a little boy, you have known the holy writings which can teach you to salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All of those writings are divinely inspired, and useful for teaching, for debate, for correction, for the instruction which is in righteousness, 17 that a man of God may be whole, prepared to every good work.

4

I myself charge you, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall be judging the living and the dead, in his appearance and in his kingdom; 2 preach the word, be firm in season and out of season; debate, rebuke, exhort, in all patience and teaching. 3 For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to their own lusts they will heap up teachers for themselves, themselves having itching ears, 4 and those ears turn away from the truth and are turned to tales.

5 But be watchful, sober and firm in all things, and do the work of an evangelist, completing your ministry. 6 For I will soon be sacrificed, and the time of my departure approaches. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 What further is left to me is a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, who is the righteousness judge, shall give me on that day; but not to me alone, but to all who love the coming of the Lord. Make your best attempt to come to me soon. 9 For Demas has left me behind, having loved this age, and has left for Thessalonica; 10 Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for he is useful for my ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, but most of all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith has done me much evil; may the Lord repay him according to his deeds, 15 of whom you too should beware, for he has mightily resisted our words. 16 In my first defense no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me; may it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord was with me, and comforted me, that by me the preaching may be completed, and all the nations may hear; and I have been delivered from the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil deed, and keep me safe in his heavenly kingdom, to whom may there be glory for an age of ages, Amen.

19 Greet Prisca, Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus dwelt at Corinth, but I left Trophimus ill in Miletus. 21 Make an attempt to come before the winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers greet you. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ is with your spirit. May grace be with you all. Amen.

The second to Timothy, ordained the first supervisor of the Ephesian community.
Written from Rome, the second time Paul was brought before Caesar Nero.